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Satyrium nepalense, a medicinally important terrestrial orchid, thrives in the Himalayan foothills including Kasauli hills of Himachal Pradesh (NorthWestern Himalayas). Terrestrial orchids are uncommon and vulnerable as they flourish in specialized, sparsely dispersed environments and many important terrestrial species are being destroyed as a consequence of commercial collection pressures and anthropogenic impacts on their specific habitats. Due to its endangered status, mass multiplication protocols were successfully established using in vitro asymbiotic seed germination technique and regeneration potential for this species. Mitra et al., 1976 medium was used for   both the experiments of seed germination and regeneration. Auxins [Indole 3 Acetic Acid (IAA), Indole 3 Butyric Acid (IBA), 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA)] and cytokinins [Kinetin (KN), Thidiazuron (TDZ), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP)], each at a concentration of 1 mgl-1, were  also employed individually or in combinations. Activated Charcoal was also added to the culture media at concentration 2 gl-1  in order to  track its impact on the growth and development of cultures. The mature seeds from ripe and dehisced capsules were used during the  present investigation. Early onset of germination was observed within 10.00±0.40 days on medium containing AC+BAP. IBA when used in AC enriched medium, synergistic action was apparent; seeds germinated within 18.50±0.28 days and healthy seedlings were obtained in 70.25±0.47 days. For regeneration, leaves (0.4-0.6 cm long) procured from 16 wks old in vitro grown plantlets were used as explants. Interestingly, regeneration occurred through shoot buds, PLBs and callusing, depending upon the nutrient combination used. The combination containing IAA and AC proved as the optimal nutrient combination for inducing regeneration via both shoot buds and PLBs formation and subsequent development of healthy plantlets with 2-3 tubers (40.25±0.47 days). The main objective of the present study was to ensure  better frequency of germination of seeds and reduce the time laps between pollination and sowing of seeds. Leaf explants have been effectively used for in vitro propagation of the presently investigated species, Satyrium nepalense and such studies may be extended to   other  related  orchid taxa.

https://doi.org/10.64873/JOSI.v35.i1-2.73-82