RECENT ADVANCES IN MICROPROPAGATION AND BIOTECHNOLOGY OF ORCHIDS

Plant biotechnology – especially in vitro regeneration and flowering, cell biology, DNA manipulation and biochemical engineering – is reshaping orchid research in four major areas: 1) benefiting micropropagation and transgenic research with findings on the totipotency and regeneration ability through shoot-bud formation and somatic embryogenesis from callus, direct somatic embryogenesis from explants and thin-section cultures of leaves and roots, and even shoot-bud formation of suspension cells of several major commercial orchids; 2) active research into the dissection of genes responsible for controlling growth, meristem functioning and flowering of orchids; 3) successful application of molecular genetics and plant transformation under laboratory condition for protecting commercial orchids against biotic stress; 4) production of specialty biochemicals and pharmaceuticals.
These are all good starts, but more devotion and support are needed for further research into both basic and practical aspects.
This presentation includes findings on 1) direct somatic embryogenesis of leaf explants of Oncidium, Phalaenopsis and Dendrobium; 2) direct shoot-bud formation from leaf explants and regeneration from suspension cells of Paphiopedilum; 3) in vitro flowering of callus-derived somatic embryos and plantlets of Cymbidium; and 4) disease-resistant Dendrobium and Oncidium through genetic transformation.
For the challenges ahead in orchid biotechnology and its practical application, I strongly encourage integrating modern technologies with classical breeding for the future success of the commercial orchid industry.

XXVII International Horticultural Congress – IHC2006: International Symposium on Ornamentals, Now!

Wei-Chin Chang

orchids, biotechnology, tissue culture, somatic embryogenesis, in vitro flowering, micropropagation

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.766.34