Philippine Journal of Science
149 (S1): 1-10, Special Issue on Nuclear S&T
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 18 Mar 2019

 

Characterization and Flowering Behavior of Eleven
Philippine Native Phalaenopsis Species and Gamma
Irradiation Effects on Phalaenopsis aphrodite

 

Pablito M. Magdalita^1,2*, Alangelico O. San Pascual², and Ruben L. Villareal³

 

¹Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Food Science,
University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines
²Institute of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture and Food Science,
University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines
³National Academy of Science and Technology, 3rd Level, Science Heritage Building,
DOST Complex, Gen. Santos Avenue, Bicutan, 1631 Taguig City, Metro Manila Philippines

 

*Corresponding author:
pabsmagdalita@gmail.com; pmmagdalita@up.edu.ph

 

ABSTRACT

Eleven species of Phalaenopsis or butterfly orchids collected from different places in the country were characterized for flower traits, leaf characters, growth habit, and capsule maturity, length, and width; evaluated for flowering behavior; and tested for self-compatibility and capsule setting under ambient conditions in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. Also, Phalaenopsis aphrodite was used for mutation breeding via gamma irradiation. Subjecting self fertilized progenies to irradiation will generate mutants with potential for breeding and selection. The eleven Phalaenopsis species studied flowered consistently under ambient conditions for two years with degrees of self compatibility and capsule setting varying from 3.8 to 50%. P. aphrodite and P. hieroglyphica embryos cultured in vitro germinated successfully at 80–90% within 3–4 wk after explanting. Germinating embryos of P. aphrodite subjected to different levels of gamma irradiation at 10, 15, 20, and 25 Gy responded differently to the treatments. The number of complete regenerants, and those regenerants with shoot only, also differed significantly among the treatments. In addition, leaf length, width, and thickness differed significantly among the treatments after 2 yr of growth. Early flowering was observed in two plants of P. aphrodite irradiated using 15 Gy. Normally, tissue culture derived P. aphrodite seedlings flower 3 yr after potting out, but one plant flowered at 1 yr and 8 mo while the other did at 2 yr after potting out.

 

[Download]
Magdalita P et al. 2020. Characterization and Flowering Behavior of Eleven Philippine Native Phalaenopsis
Species and Gamma Irradiation Effects on Phalaenopsis aphrodite. Philipp J Sci 149(S1): 1–10.
https://doi.org/10.56899/149.S1.01