VISHAL SHARMA
Abstract
Regeneration competence of epidermal peel segments of Cattleya ‘Almakee’, procured from in vitro grown cultures, was assessed in Mitra et al., 1976 medium alone and in combinations with PGRs. Regeneration competence of epidermal peel segments of Cattleya ‘Almakee’ is dependent on the location, maturity level, position of the explants and chemical regime. The neoformations in the epidermal explants is affected by polarity showing basipetal gradient. The explants taken from foliar (0.75-2cm long) did not regenerate whereas those from younger (<0.75 cm in length) regenerated depending upon their position in the source organ. The epidermal peels taken from distal part of leaves(<0.75 cm long), failed to respond regardless of the chemical regime, however, those procured from proximal part regenerated to the availability of plant growth regulators (PGRs) in the nutrient regime. Maximum number of shoots was obtained from the basal segments on medium supplemented with cytokinin to auxin in ratio of 1:1 in BM+Kn(1mg L-1) + NAA (1 mgL-1), forming 60 plantlets in 12 weeks. The regenerated plantlets were acclimatized and transfered to pots filled with moss, pine-bark, brick and charcoal pieces mixture with 90% survival.