Shortening the Period from Pollination to Getting Seedlings by Ovule or Ovary Culture in Doritis pulcherrima (Orchidaceae)

Abstract

With normal in vitro culture of mature seeds of D. pulcherrima (widely distributed in S. E. Asia) at least 240 days are required from pollination to the seedling stage. With the new method (described) using pollinated but not yet fertilized ovaries or ovules, the period could be shortened by about 150 days. The seedlings obtained were diploid, suggesting that fertilization took place during culturing. In ovule culture, seedlings were obtained only when the basal Vacin and Went medium was supplemented with sucrose or coconut water. In ovary culture they were obtained without the addition of sucrose, perhaps because it was supplied endogenously from the ovary wall.