An efficient direct induction of protocorm-like bodies from leaf subepidermal cells of Doritaenopsis hybrid using thin-section culture

High-frequency protocorm-like body (PLB) formation directly from thin leaf sections of Doritaenopsis hybrid was achieved in order to develop a mass-scale propagation system. Concentrated efforts were made to study the effects of different cytokinins on in vitro PLB induction from thin leaf sections. Among the cytokinins tested, thidiazuron (TDZ) was found to be a more effective inducer of PLBs than benzyladenine and zeatin. A modified Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 9.0 muM TDZ was found to be the optimum concentration for PLB development from thin leaf sections of Doritaenopsis hybrid. Of the two different explant types used in the present experiment, the highest percentage of PLB formation (72.3%) and highest number of PLBs (18) per explant were observed on thin leaf sections (1 mm thick), while only 20% (4.3 per explant) of comparatively large leaf segments (5 mm thick) were able to produce PLBs under the same culture conditions. Light microscopy observations indicated that the initial cell divisions for PLB formation occurred on the region near the cut surface and that an intact epidermal layer appeared to play an important role in PLB formation. Pro-embryo initiation occurred from several cells just beneath the intact epidermal cell, and globular PLBs were clearly visible after 3 weeks of culture and subsequently developed into mature PLBs.