Abstract:
Anoectochilus roxburghii is an endangered medicinal and highly valued ornamental plant
belongs to family Orchidaceae. Extinction of this species has been identified over last few
decades due to over wild-collection, loss of favorable habitats, slow growth and low rate of
proliferation. Conventional propagation has been identified as an inefficient and time consuming
method in propagation of this species. Micropropagation is considered as the technique which
ensures rapid multiplication of plants including many other benefits compared to conventional
propagation. The objectives of the present study were to find out the best nodal cutting of this
species for in-vitro propagation and select appropriate hormonal combinations with full MS
media for shoot proliferation. The experiment was carried out using complete randomized
design with six treatments combinations replicating three times with three cultures. Six
treatments consisted of three types of nodal cuttings (explant) as first, third and fifth nodes
either with 1.5 mL-1 of 6-(BAP) or with combination of 1.5 mL-1 of 6-(BAP) and 0.5 mL-1 of α–
naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Data were recorded at the fourth, sixth and eighth weeks after
establishment. The highest number of multiplied shoots were recorded in 3rd nodal cutting with
full MS media supplemented with 1.5 mL-1 BAP at eight weeks after establishment and it also
showed that the shortest time for initiating shoots within two and half weeks. Most of the
culture vessels were contaminated after four days of establishment. According to observations,
MS media treated with 1.5 mL-1 of BAP performed better in in-vitro culture establishment and
organogenesis (shoot) of Anoectochilus roxburghii nodal cuttings. Third nodal cuttings
performed better in culture establishment and organogenesis under full MS media treated with
1.5 mL-1 of BAP. Lower nodal cuttings closer to growth media of mother plants were more
susceptible for microbial contaminations when used as explants in in-vitro cultures.
