Abstract

The study was conducted on the storage of Dendrobium sonia-28 protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) at various temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25°C) and under mineral oil layer. Biochemical analyses were conducted on the PLBs by determining thechlorophyll, total soluble protein and peroxidase activities. In addition, histological analyses of cell structure, rate of survival and shoot growth after the recovery process were carried out. This study was performed in two conditions; three (3) weeks and twelve (12) days of growth recovery period after 3 weeks of storage treatment. The PLBs were transferred to half strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 1.0 mg/L benzylaminopurine (BAP) and kept at 25±2°C for twelve (12) days during recovery period. Overall, PLBs stored under 5°C and mineral oil layer produced the lowest values in chlorophyll analysis, rate of survival and shoot growth. However, total soluble protein content was increased during twelve (12) days of growth recovery period. Histological analysis has shown that the cell structure of these PLBs sustained a high degree of damage due to the treatment. PLBs stored under 5°C and mineral oil layer recorded the highest peroxidase activity attributed to higher stress conditions.

Key words: Dendrobium sonia-28, PLBs, low temperature, mineral oil, biochemical analysis.

Abbreviation

BAP, Benzylaminopurine; MS, Murashige and Skoog; PLB,protocorm-like bodies; TBA, thiobarbituric acid; NaOH, sodium hydroxide