In vitro culture of wild Vanda tricolor Lindley seeds from Kintamani, Bali, as initial step for conservation

Abstract

Vanda tricolor is an endemic orchid from Indonesia that can be found in Bali. As part of Orchidaceae, Vanda tricolor is facing the same problem as other orchid species, their seeds have various requirements for germination which causes a low germination rate. Preventing this endangered orchid from extinction with tissue culture not only maintains the genetic diversity but also understanding the growth factors of this very species. The aim of this research was to analyze how sterilization, medium, and light affect the germination of V. tricolor. Wild V. tricolor pod from Buahan Village, Kintamani, Bangli Regency, Bali, was sterilized with 2g/L fungicide, 1,05% and 0,79% NaClO; while seeds were sterilized with 1,05% NaClO. The seeds from these two different sterilization methods were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, Vacin and Went (VW) medium, Organic 1 (O1) medium, and Organic 2 (O2) medium, then half of them were placed under LED light and the rest were kept on dark. Each one of the sixteen treatment combinations was replicated six times. Seed sterilization with 1,05% NaClO showed better results than pod sterilization. Seeds started to germinate 3 weeks after sown with the highest germination rate occurred on seeds cultured on MS medium under LED light. This study revealed tissue culture with different treatments will aid to understand the preferred germination condition for wild Vanda tricolor and support its conservation.