From "The Daily Star" of Bangladesh

Orchid export is in sight
BAU scientist evolves method for commercial production
Our Correspondent, Mymensingh

The Department of Biotechnology of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU)
has developed a technology for commercial production of orchid plants,
opening up a prospect for their export.
Dr Khondoker M Nasiruddin, Head of Department of Biotec-hnology, told The
Dality Star that his department has evolved seven varieties of orchid
seedlings from seed and leaf tissues.

These are Dendrobium, Vanda, Phaiues, Phaelanopsis, Aeredis, Rhynchostylis,
Cymbidium and Arundina.


Now, orchid seedlings are normally purchased from Thailand at Tk 35 per
piece, which can be reduced to Tk 5, he said.

Normally, orchids are grown both through vegetative means and seed breeding.

But seeds contain a very minute quantity of stored food and so there is less
possibility of their germination in natural atmosphere.

Using the traditional vegetative method of propagation, only three or four
plants can he produced in a year.

The new technology is called micropropagation, in which vitro seed culture,
leaf culture and internode culture are used.

Tiny orchid seeds are placed on tissues for nourishment. After several days,
these germinate. These are re-cultured with hormone.


Dr Nasiruddin said standardisation of the varieties is near completion at
BAU laboratories.

Several big nurseries trading in orchid have contacted them for orchid
seedlings, he said.


If commercially produced, orchids can be exported, he said.


BAU Vice-chancellor Prof Dr M Amirul Islam recently handed over the first
consignment of Dendrobium orchid seedlings to Micro Orchids and Plants of
Savar. About 95 per cent of the seedlings survived, he said.



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I don't think I understand what is new here.

If he is cloning seedlings (which germinate on the agar from seed placed
there) before they grow up and bloom there is no way to control/know which
traits the adult plant/flower will exhibit until all the little baby clones
grow up and bloom. This is called "protocorm proliferation" where the
little baby plants multiply because of a response to some chemical in the
agar or some cultural condition, like temperature or light duration. I
should think that this is a bad thing when germinating orchid seeds,
shouldn't I?

But seeds contain a very minute quantity of stored food and so there is
less
possibility of their germination in natural atmosphere.

It wouldn't surprise me if some type of orchid seed do have a residual
(atavistic) endosperm but why would this make germination harder for them.
Maybe more susceptible the wrong kinds of fungus.

Otherwise the funniest thing I read here was:
The new technology is called micropropagation

it has been called that since the 50s or 60s when it was first accomplished.

I also enjoyed the use of the word 'evolve' but now I am just getting
snotty....



"Reka" wrote in message
...
From "The Daily Star" of Bangladesh

Orchid export is in sight
BAU scientist evolves method for commercial production
Our Correspondent, Mymensingh

The Department of Biotechnology of Bangladesh Agricultural University
(BAU)
has developed a technology for commercial production of orchid plants,
opening up a prospect for their export.
Dr Khondoker M Nasiruddin, Head of Department of Biotec-hnology, told The
Dality Star that his department has evolved seven varieties of orchid
seedlings from seed and leaf tissues.

These are Dendrobium, Vanda, Phaiues, Phaelanopsis, Aeredis,
Rhynchostylis,
Cymbidium and Arundina.


Now, orchid seedlings are normally purchased from Thailand at Tk 35 per
piece, which can be reduced to Tk 5, he said.

Normally, orchids are grown both through vegetative means and seed
breeding.

But seeds contain a very minute quantity of stored food and so there is
less
possibility of their germination in natural atmosphere.

Using the traditional vegetative method of propagation, only three or four
plants can he produced in a year.

The new technology is called micropropagation, in which vitro seed
culture,
leaf culture and internode culture are used.

Tiny orchid seeds are placed on tissues for nourishment. After several
days,
these germinate. These are re-cultured with hormone.


Dr Nasiruddin said standardisation of the varieties is near completion at
BAU laboratories.

Several big nurseries trading in orchid have contacted them for orchid
seedlings, he said.


If commercially produced, orchids can be exported, he said.


BAU Vice-chancellor Prof Dr M Amirul Islam recently handed over the first
consignment of Dendrobium orchid seedlings to Micro Orchids and Plants of
Savar. About 95 per cent of the seedlings survived, he said.



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