Orchid Micropropagation: An Overview of Approaches and Methodologies

Abstract

Micropropagation can be used as means of such ex situ conservation. Sometimes, when there is only one plant left in the natural habitat, the only way to bulk up the population is by micropropagation. One of Singapore’s critically endangered species, Robiquetia spathulata, has been successfully cloned and reintroduced using this method. However, plantlets produced by cloning are genetically homogenous and thus are less suitable for conservation and repopulation than genetically diverse seedlings. This chapter provides an overview on various types of explants used in orchid micropropagation. General methodologies in the handling and culturing of explants are discussed.