Orchid germplasm conservation

Researchers from the University of the Philippines-Los Banos have developed a method of orchid germplasm conservation.

Nestor Altoveros, Rachel Sotto and Lilian Pateña of the UPLB’s Institute of Plant Breeding said storing seeds with low moisture content and in low temperature condition could be a promising method of orchid germplasm conservation.

Germplasm is a term used to describe a collection of genetic resources for an organism. For plants, the germplasm may be stored as a seed collection or, for trees, in a nursery.

“The country can now better protect its rich source of genetic variability for breeding orchids with the new technology,” the searchers said.

The study titled “Investigaton into the Conservation of Biodiversity of Indigenous Orchids Using Seeds,” was funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) of the Department of science and Technology (DOST).

The new technique consists of collecting mature capsules, drying the seeds to seven percent moisture content, storing the seeds in glass bottles with silica gel at zero degree centigrate and re-hydrating the conserved seed under room temperature as a preconditioning treatment. The seeds are then germinated and plantlets are re-generated both in culture media.

“With the seeds of indigenous orchids conserved and regenerated using this technique, resulting plantlets could be re-introduced into the ecosystem and habitat where orchids or capsules have been collected,” they said.

Researchers said the technology allows the conservation of numerous orchid species at one time, simplifies handling and maintenance, requires less space and reduces cost of inputs.

According to reports, the Philippines has some 800 to 1,000 species of orchids. Philippine orchids come in an amazing array of shapes, sizes and colors.— Helen Flores