The establishment of a micropropagation system for <i>Dendrobium kingianum</i> via somatic embryogenesis

The <italic>Dendrobium kingianum</italic> is a highly valued ornamental plant belonging to the Orchidaceae family whose propagation relies on time-consuming stem cutting and protocorm-like body proliferation. To optimize its propagation system, roots, leaves, and lateral buds of <italic>Dendrobium kingianum</italic> plants were taken to investigate embryogenic callus induction and somatic embryogenesis. Embryogenic callus was induced on MS medium containing 0.2 mg/L NAA, 1.5 mg/L 6-BA, and 10⁻⁷ mol/L PSK when lateral buds served as explants. Many somatic embryos were generated on G4 medium (1.0 g/L Hyponex No.1 + 1.0 g/L Hyponex No.2 + 15 g/L sucrose + 3 g/L Phytagel + 2 mg/L 6-BA + 0.5 mg/L IBA + 10 g/L corn starch + 200 mL/L coconut water), which developed into robust seedlings after rooting. The original embryogenic calluses proliferated continuously for more than half a year, and the newly proliferated ones possessed the capacity to develop into seedlings, indicating an efficient propagation system for <italic>Dendrobium kingianum</italic> via somatic embryogenesis with potential for scale production.