Asymbiotic seed germination and seedling development of vanda testacea (lindl.) Reichb. F.: an in vitro approach for optimization of cultural requirements for A medicinally important rare orchid

The epiphytic orchid Vanda testacea (Lindl.)Reichb.f. is widely known for its medicinal properties and high floristic value. Considering the poor seed germination under natural condition, seeds of Vanda testacea were cultured on Knudson’s C medium, enriched with various concentrations of organic additives and Plant growth regulators to study asymbiotic germination, seedling development and optimization of the cultural requirements. For initiation of germination, preference for particular additives was not observed and optimal germination was recorded in basal media. Seedling survival was not affected either with organic additives or with BAP (6-benzyl amino purine), but significantly retarded in presence of NAA (α-napthalene acetic acid). 0.1% peptone stimulated seedling growth while 0.4% yeast extract and 40% coconut water were inhibitory. However, NAA was stimulatory for seedling growth while BAP retarded this process. Yeast extract stimulated organized growth of seedlings, rather than allowing unorganized growth to form callus.