Journal

<p>Orchids are an intricate component of forest ecosystems that contribute to a high proportion of plant diversity. The aim of this study was to investigate the diversity of orchids in the part of Western Ghats i.e. Sirsi. The present study revealed that 27 transects of 8 habitats of Sirsi recorded 29 species of orchids belonging to 22 genera in which most of them are epiphytes and two are terrestrial. Kondagallu region has the highest diversity and species richness. The highest Shannon&rsquo;s diversity index was observed for Kondagallu and Sirsi, while Dyayagudu recorded the lowest Shannon&rsquo;s diversity index. Kondagallu recorded the highest Simpson&rsquo;s diversity index and the least was recorded by Dyayagudu. The highest species evenness was found in Hedge indicating thereby that all the species present in that habitat is more even where the least evenness was found in Sirsians indicating thereby that the number of different orchid species varied spatially.</p> <p><a href="https://doi.org/10.64873/JOSI.v38.i1-2.9-13">https://doi.org/10.64873/JOSI.v38.i1-2.9-13</a></p>

<p>Orchids generally require a symbiotic fungus to complete their life cycle and thus characterization and identification of endomycorrhiza is essential. The most common mycorrhizal fungi of orchids belong to the genera <em>Ceratobasidium, Sebacina, Thanetophorus, </em>and <em>Tu/asnella </em>of Basidiomycota. The present study describes endophytic fungi from the roots of <em>Papilionanthe subulata </em>(Willd.) Garay, <em>Rhynchostylis </em><em>retusa </em>(L.) Blume, and <em>Taprobanea spathulata </em>(L.) Christ, the three epiphytic orchids of Western Ghats. Five endophytic fungi were isolated from anchored roots, characterized morphologically and designated as Vs1,Vs2, Rr, Ps1, and Ps2. They were morphologically similar to that of the form genus <em>Rhizoctonia </em>and were binucleate in their vegetative hyphae and monilioid cells. Sequencing of ITS region and phylogenetic analysis revealed that Rr, VS1, and VS2 have close similarity to <em>Ceratobasidium </em>sp. while Ps1 and Ps2 with <em>Tufasnella. </em>Based on sequence similarity, Vs1 and Vs2 were assigned the species status <em>Ceratobasidium lantanae-camarae </em>and <em>C. gomesae </em>respectively and are new report from India. Other three isolates did not clad with any described species having sequences in the NCBI database.The sequences of the&nbsp; isolates were deposited&nbsp; in NCBI Genbank with the accession&nbsp; numbers,&nbsp; Rr_lTS OL374043,&nbsp; VS 1_ITS0L374050, VS2_ITSOL374052, PS1_ITS0L374163, and Ps2_ITS0L374168 respectively. The identified isolates are members of Ceratobasidiaceae or Tulasnellaceae and thus have symbiotic potential for further characterization and evaluation.</p>

<p><em>Dendrobium aphytlum </em>(Roxb.) C.E.C.Fisch was observed to exhibit intraspecific colour variation in its natural populations of West Bengal. Variations were observed in floral parts such as sepals, petals, and lip.The normal floral colour was pinkish white with pale yellow lip. The plant that showed variations was observed with pale purplish off-white flowers having pale lemon-green lip. The present communication reports these variations, in detail.</p>

<p><em>Acampe praemorsa </em>(Roxb.) Blatt. &amp; Mccann is a monopodial epiphytic orchid which possesses eminent medicinal value. In the present study, four different nutrient media namely MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962), PM (Phytamax; Arditti, 1977), MVW (Modified Vacin and Went, 1949), and KC (Knudson, 1946) were used for <em>in vitro </em>asymbiotic seed germination. PM basal medium proved the best percentage for seed germination (66.67%) followed by MS (58.34%), MVW (41.67%), and KC (33.34%) media. Phytochemical investigation was conducted for plant parts such as leaf, stem, root (procured from <em>in vivo </em>grown plants) and for <em>in vitro </em>raised plantlets, in <em>A. praemorsa. </em>Maximum amount of alkaloid content was found in leaf in Wagner&#39;s and Tannie acid reagent; in stem in Dragendroff&#39;s and Tannie acid reagent; in root in Tannie acid reagent; and in <em>in vitro </em>raised plantlets in Wagner&#39;s reagent. Amongst other secondary metabolites, the highest amount of tannin, flavonoid, steroid, and phenol was found in leaf, whereas, tannin, steroid, terpenoid,and phenol was found in stem; and tannin, flavonoid, steroid, protein, phenol, quinine, and coumarin were found in root. The highest quantity of saponin, flavonoid, and phenol was observed in <em>in vitro </em>raised plantlets</p>

<p>With more than 70 genera ad 28,000 spcies worldwide, the Orchidaceae is regarded as one of the largest angiospermic families. Their flo&quot;:&#39;ers are reog_ms d_for being log-last1g, ornamentally valuable, and morphologically complex. Many orchid species have been lost r:namly due to md1scnmmate collection, habitat degradation, global climate change, and urbanisation. The dilemma is made worst by rigid hfe cycle methods of these plants. As a result, from a conservation view point, this group of plants need special attention. The current communication focuses on the primary variables that contribute to orchid rarity and emphasizes the importance of major conservation efforts in protecting the orchids.</p>

<p>The Crimson Shield Orchid, <em>Crepidium acuminatum </em>(D.Don) Szlach. <em>(=Ma/axis acuminata </em>D.Don), grows in temperate and subtropical Himalayas (from Himachal Pradesh to Sikkim; 6000-7000 ft), Western Ghats, Nilgiri Hills, and Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands. It is an important ingredient of <em>Ashtavarga</em><em> </em>drugs used in the preparation of an ayurvedic tonic <em>Chyavanprash </em>and is marketed under the trade name <em>Rishbhak. </em>Immature seeds procured from undehisced green capsules (12 wap) of <em>Crepidium acuminatum </em>were inoculated on M medium with and without different organic supplements [Yeast Extract (YE), Peptone (P), and Casein Hydrolysate (CH) (0.1% each): Coconut water (CW; 10%)] to assess the germination potential. Healthy seedlings were obtained on activated charcoal (AC) enriched basal M medium under light conditions in 33 wks. Leaf formation was observed in Peptone enriched medium under dark conditions, whereas, combinations containing other growth additives failed to induce leaf development. Early pseudobulbs formation was observed in medium containing CW under dark conditions.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the present investigation, seeds procured from green capsules of <em>Habenaria digitata </em>Lindi. were cultured on 0.8% (w/v) agar solidified MS medium supplemented with eight different growth additives namely, activated charcoal (AC), banana powder (BP), peptone (P), vanilla powder (VP), amaranth juice (AJ), coconut water (CW), pineapple juice (PJ), and tomato juice (TJ). Maximum percentage (93.34%) of seed germination was found on MS medium fortified with 1 g1&middot;1 activated charcoal,2 g1&middot;1&nbsp;peptone, and 20% coconut water. The lowest time required for initiation of seed germination (7.21&plusmn;0.34 wks), induction of protocorms (10.29&plusmn;0.49 wks), and development of seedlings (25.79&plusmn;0.60 wks) was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 1 g1-1 AC. After 30 days of culture, the maximum&nbsp; increase in length</p> <p>(3.91&plusmn;0.04 cm) and number of roots (4.17&plusmn;0.31) was observed on MS medium supplemented with IBA (1.0 mgl 1 + NAA (1.0 mgl 1 . The</p> <p>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; )</p> <p>highest (96.00%) greenish shoot primodia like structures (SPSs) were developed within the lowest time (6.22&plusmn;0.15 wks) in liquid MS medium supplemented with KN (1.0 mgl&middot;1) and NAA (0.6 mgl-1). The healthy seedlings with well-developed roots were transferred to natural environment following successive phases of acclimatization.</p>

<p>An experiment was carried out at the Orchid house of the Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh during February-May, 2022. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 9 treatments, each treatment replicated thrice. The effect of 9 different potting media (comprising charcoal pieces, coconut husk, brick pieces, mango bark, and <em>Pinus </em>bark, alone, and in combinations) on the various vegetative growth parameters of <em>Rhynchosty/is retusa </em>{L.) Blume was studied. It was observed that potting media have profound influence on different growth parameters of the species. The maximum number of leaves per plant was recorded in treatment T7 (12.00&plusmn;1.15) [charcoal pieces + brick pieces + coconut husk (coir) + mango bark + <em>Pinus </em>bark] followed by treatment&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;T6</p> <p>{11&plusmn;2.0B) [coconut husk {coir) + charcoal pieces + mango bark + <em>Pinus </em>bark], and Tl {B.00&plusmn;0.00) [charcoal pieces]. Similarly, maximum</p> <p>number of new buds formation also occurred in T7 {2.66&plusmn;0.33) treatment followed by T6 {2.00&plusmn;0.00) treatment and minimum number of new buds were formed in T3 (1.00&plusmn;0.00) treatment. Maximum leaf length and width was reported in T7 {8.24&plusmn;0.001 and 1.55&plusmn;0.002, respectively) followed&nbsp; by T6 (6.45&plusmn;0.003 and&nbsp; 1.44&plusmn;0.008, respectively)&nbsp; media and minimum&nbsp; leaf&nbsp; length and width was&nbsp; reported in &nbsp;T3</p> <p>{4.34&plusmn;0.07 and 0.94&plusmn;0.003, respectively) medium. The experimental findings showed that the maximum growth was obtained in T7 followed by T6 due to better growing environment for the plant, which probably resulted in enhancing the leaf number, leaf width and length, and formation of new vegetative buds. There was a general trend <em>i.e., </em>T7, T6, Tl,TS, TB, T4, T2, T5, and T3 which was observed in order of preference for the potting media by presently investigated &nbsp;orchid.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The microbiome associated with any plant plays a significant role in the life cycle of its host by performing various plant-beneficial activities. They stimulate the growth and productivity of the host plant and defend the attack of phytopathogens. Moreover, they act as a reservoir of biologically and pharmacologically important enzymes, which may find many industrial applications. Orchids are at the front line of extinction, with more species under threat globally than any other plant family. Hence, they may be considered as the indicators of the health of any ecosystem as their existence depends on many other life forms, especially fungi, owing to their role in orchid seed germination. The present study focuses on isolating and identifying the fungi associated with the absorption roots of the wild epiphytic orchid, <em>Dendrobium ovatum. </em>Morphological characters and molecular characterisation using the ITS primers were used to confirm the identity of the isolates. <em>Trichoderma </em>sp. was found to be the dominant one. Capability of the isolates to produce extracellular enzymes like amylase, cellulase, lipase, protease, laccase, and tyrosinase were analysed. The results revealed the vast gamut of beneficial attributes possessed by the fungi associated with the absorption roots of <em>D. ovatum. </em>The present results highlighted the importance of conservation of <em>D. ovatum </em>while considering the diverse microbial associates and the microhabitat it dwells.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>An analysis was presently made to understand the impact of the Journal of the Orchid Society of India on Indian orchidology and to identify gaps in orchid research and conservation of Indian orchids. Some major questions asked were: What is the existing literature published by the journal? What are the significant areas of research? What methodological (experimental or observational) approach has been more used? How often are IUCN red-listed species studied? Analysis of research papers (from 1987 to 2021), showed 513 research articles make up the archive of the journal. Of these, 52% were experimental and 31% were field-based, and 11% were observational.The most focused areas of research were <em>in vitro </em>studies (30%) and systematic biology (17%); whereas the least focused areas were ethnobotany (1.9%) and conservation (1.9%). Studies on IUCN red-listed species were &lt;1% and insufficient against the conservation action required (IUCN). Hence, future orchid research in India should focus on <em>in vitro </em>studies and the application of techniques for conservation and restoration of threatened species and finally give equal focus on areas other than <em>in vitro </em>studies.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The present paper deals with comparative distribution of orchid species with their number in each district such as West Kameng- 443, Lower Subansiri- 26, Changlang- 39, Upper Siang- 37, Tawang- 14, East Kameng- 95, Upper Subansiri- 9, Anjaw- 19, Tirap- 36, Siang- 7,</p> <p>Longding- 4, Lohit- 17, Namsai- 10, West Siang- 3, Papum Pare- 13, Shi-Yomi- 12, Lower Dibang Valley- 4, and Kurung Khumey- 20. The paper also deals with listing of specimens and type specimens such as Holo type, Para type, and lso type available in Orchid Herbarium Tippi (OHT). Further, herbaria of state, regional, and national has the reference of OHT as a specimen repository to ARLIN, APFH, ASSAM, and CAL. The present study was an attempt to provide district wise information on orchids in atleast 1-3 localities of collection sites with their wide range of geographical location and altitude; the study is based on frequent field trips upto the border of neighbouring countries with the state. The state is known to have a total of 568 species in141 genera based on specimens available in OHT collected from different parts of the state. Out of these, 383 species in 77 genera are epiphytes, 161 species in 52 genera are terrestrial, and 24 species in 24 genera are mycoheterotrophs.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Orchidaceae is a monocot family of herbaceous perennials that includes terrestrial, mycoheterotrophic, lithophytic, and epiphytic species. It is one of the largest families amongst angiosperms with 705 genera and 29,481 species distributed worldwide. In India, orchids are mainly found in NorthEastern Himalayas, NorthWestern Himalayas and the peninsular regions on the mainland, and the Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands. NorthWestern Himalayan states, including L.adakh, U.T. (which was a part of the former state Jammu and Kashmir), harbour many orchid species. Various plant explorers from the past a few decades have reported the occurrence of a few orchids from the Ladakh. In the present study, different habitats of Ladakh were explored for the evaluation of diversity and distribution of orchid species. Seven terrestrial species namely <em>Dactylorhiza hatagirea, D. kafiriana, D. umbrosa, D. viridis, Epipactis hel/eborine, E. royleana, </em>and <em>Herminium monorchis </em>growing within an altitudinal range of 1500-4150 m amsl were recorded.</p>

<p>Presently, an attempt was made to study the root anatomy in 1D selected epiphytic orchids [(Acampe <em>praemorsa </em>(Roxb.) Blatt. &amp; Mccann, <em>Aerides crispa </em>Lindi., <em>A. </em><em>maculosa </em>Lindi., <em>Bulbophyllum </em><em>sterile </em>(Lam.) Suresh, <em>Cottoniapeduncularis </em>(Lindi.) Rchb.f, <em>Dendrobium </em><em>barbatulum </em>Lindi., <em>D. macrostachyum </em>Lindi., <em>D. ovatum </em>(L.) Kranzl., <em>D. peguanum </em>Lindi., and <em>Rhynchostylis retusa </em>(L.) Blume] distributed in Western Ghats, Goa. The aerial roots of the selected species showed distinct variations in their internal organization. The components forming roots consisted of velamen, exodermis with the passage cells, cortex, endodermis, vascular&nbsp; bundles, and pith.&nbsp; Specific characters &nbsp;such</p> <p>as chloroplast, spiral thickening,&nbsp; needle-shaped crystals, and raphides were observed in the selected epiphytic orchid&nbsp; &nbsp;species.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The family Orchidaceae is one of the most diverse and widespread group of flowering plants and the Jhargram district is one of the richest species diversity regions in West Bengal. The present investigation reports 18 species of orchids belonging to 13 genera, of which 10were terrestrial and 8 were epiphytic from different forests of Jhargram.</p>

<p>The orchid genus <em>Hemipilia </em>Lindi. <em>sensu stricto </em>is represented by a single species, <em>H. cordifolia </em>Lindi. in Himachal Pradesh, NorthWest Himalayas. It is sparsely distributed in the mid Himalayan zone in shady to semi-shady and moist floors of coniferous and mixed forests. The present paper describes the species based upon its collections from this state, and provides details on its distribution, habitat, phenology, and threats faced by natural populations.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The natural populations of many splendid orchids are declining from their natural habitats at an alarming rate and their conservation is becoming a matter of global concern. The present study was intended to facilitate <em>ex situ </em>conservation of <em>Aerides crispa, </em>an epiphytic orchid having tremendous ornamental and medicinal value. Asymbiotic seed germination potential of immature seeds procured from unripe green capsules was assessed on agar-gelled MS Medium with and without various combinations of plant growth regulators [Auxins (IAA, NAA} and Cytokinins (KN, BAP, TDZ}] and activated charcoal (AC; 0.2%}. The onset of germination initiated within 6.25&plusmn;0.47 days of culturing on MS Medium fortified with IAA+TDZ (0.5 mg1&middot;1&nbsp;each}. The percentage germination response showed significant differences in majority of combinations used; it was highest (99.50&plusmn;0.25%} in the medium supplemented with AC. Early protocorm development (23.25&plusmn;0.47 days} and their rapid multiplication was observed when medium was supplemented with NAA+KN (0.5 mgl 1 each). First leaf and root primordia were developed within 30.05&plusmn;0.47 and 82.75&plusmn;1.10 days of culturing, respectively on medium supplemented with IAA+TDZ (0.5 mgl&middot;1&nbsp;each); seedling development was recorded in 99.00&plusmn;1.29 days, in the medium containing NAA+TDZ (0.5 mgl 1 each}. MS medium supplemented with IAA+TDZ (0.5 mgl 1each} proved an optimal nutritional combination during germination and seedling development.</p>