Germinación de semillas y caracterización del crecimiento de Cattleya iricolor (ORCHIDACEAE) almacenadas ex situ.

Abstract

Ecuador is one of the most diverse orchid countries with approximately 4 200 species distributed in four natural regions; Cattleya iricolor is an endemic epiphytic species from Ecuador and Peru which has an ornamental value, due to constant extraction and abusive marketing it is in danger of extinction. Through in vitro culture, this research evaluated the asymbiotic germination and growth characterization of Cattleya iricolor seeds that have been stored for six years and six months. Germination was evaluated using four disinfection treatments (T1), T2, T3, T4) according to the concentration of NaClO and two culture media denominated (MS + AC) and (MS); and for the characterization of growth, the development through the stages of development of orchids adapted by Vasudevan & Staden (2010) was evaluated week by week. The T1 and T2 treatments are the most suitable for germination and the best culture medium is the MS + AC with 16.6%; the medium supplemented with coconut water proved to be influential in accelerating the development of the first phase.