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Asymbiotic seed germination and in vitro seedling development of Cyrtopodium punctatum: a propagation protocol for an endangered Florida native orchid

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Abstract

Cyrtopodium punctatum Lindley is an endangered epiphytic orchid restricted in the United States to southern Florida. Due to its ornamental value, the species was extensively collected from the wild during the past 100 years. Today, only a few plants remain in protected areas. As part of a conservation plan for the species, procedures for asymbiotic seed germination were developed. Five asymbiotic orchid seed germination media (PhytoTechnology Orchid Seed Sowing Medium, Knudson C, Malmgren Modified Terrestrial Orchid Medium, Vacin & Went Modified Orchid Medium, and ½-strengh Murashige & Skoog) were examined for their effectiveness in promoting seed germination and protocorm development under a 16/8 h L/D photoperiod and dark (0/24 h L/D). The influence of photoperiod on growth and development was also examined. Seeds were germinated under a 16/8 h, 12/12 h, 8/16 h L/D photoperiod, at 25 ± 3°C and allowed to develop in vitro for 10 weeks. After 10 weeks, developing seedlings were transferred to Sigma Phytatrays and returned to their assigned photoperiod treatments for continued seedling development for an additional 15 weeks. Highest germination occurred in 0/24 h L/D on PhytoTechnology Orchid Seed Sowing Medium and seedlings displayed more advanced development when cultured under 16/8 h L/D photoperiod after 15 weeks in Phytatrays. Thirty-five week old seedlings potted in coconut husk growing medium exhibited 90% survival following 5 weeks acclimatization to greenhouse conditions. This asymbiotic seed germination protocol for C. punctatum will facilitate future reintroduction projects involving this endangered species.

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Abbreviations

½MS:

½-strength Murashige and Skoog

dd:

Distilled deionized

FPNWR:

Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge

KC:

Knudson C

L/D:

Light/dark

MM:

Malmgren modified terrestrial orchid medium

P723:

PhytoTechnology orchid seed sowing medium

VW:

Vacin & went modified orchid medium

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge and the American Orchid Society for providing financial support for this project. We also thank Phil Kauth, Timothy Johnson, Nancy Philman, Scott Stewart and two anonymous reviewers for their valuable input. Brand names are provided for reference only; the authors do not solely endorse these particular products.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, University of Hawai’i, 3190 Maile Way, Room 101, 96822, Honolulu, HI, USA

    Daniela Dutra

  2. Plant Restoration, Conservation and Propagation Biotechnology Program, Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110675, 32611, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Michael E. Kane

  3. Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 3860 Tollgate Blvd., Suite 300, 34114, Naples, FL, USA

    Larry Richardson

Authors
  1. Daniela Dutra
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  2. Michael E. Kane
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  3. Larry Richardson
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Correspondence to Michael E. Kane.

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Dutra, D., Kane, M.E. & Richardson, L. Asymbiotic seed germination and in vitro seedling development of Cyrtopodium punctatum: a propagation protocol for an endangered Florida native orchid. Plant Cell Tiss Organ Cult 96, 235–243 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-008-9480-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-008-9480-z

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