Clonal propagation of Spathoglottis plicata from young plants

A rapid clonal method was established for gene transformation study of Spathoglottis plicata using leaf and stem explants excised from 8-month old pot grown seedlings. Explants were cultured on charcoal-added MS medium supplemented with 16 combinations of NAA and BA at the concentrations of 0.54-10.74 mu M. Regeneration of PLB (Protocorm like bodies) and subsequent plantlet development could be observed from leaf base and nodal area in one to two month in all 16 combinations. The maximum regeneration of PLB was obtained from 5.37 mu M NAA and 0.44 mu M BA. For plantlet development, the optimum hormone combination was 5.37-10.74 mu M NAA and 8.88 mu M BA. The regenerated PLB and plantlets when chopped to pieces of no bigger than 1 mm and re-cultured on the said media could regenerate new PLB and plantlets in one month. PLB was also observed from root segments dissected from regenerated plantlets.