Abstract:
The use of natural substances as media
supplements to promote the growth and
development of orchid has received a lot of
interest. Aloe vera extract which is well-known for
its nutritional characteristics, has the potential to
influence the in vitro growth of orchid plants.
Hence, the present study was conducted in the
Floriculture Research and Development Unit at
the Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya to
evaluate the potential of usage Aloe vera extract as
nutrient additive for Orchid tissue culture. The
experiment was arranged in Complete Randomized
Design having four treatments with 15 replicates for
each experiment. The number of leaves, shoots and roots
per plantlet and explant height were measured. The
results showed that various treatments had a
substantial impact on the growth characteristics
of Orchid explants. During the third week of
incubation, 900ml of KNC+100ml of Aloe vera
extract and 700ml of KNC+300ml of Aloe vera
extract, consistently promoted higher numbers of
leaves and shoots and plantlet height compared to
the control (KNC media), highlighting the
potential benefits of Aloe vera extract
supplementation, particularly in the early growth
stages. These benefits continue throughout the
fifth week of incubation, with all treatments except
the control. Notably, 800ml of KNC+200ml of
Aloe vera extract produced the most shoots per
explant. As a result, these findings emphasize the
potential benefits of including Aloe vera extract in
orchid tissue culture media, particularly during
the early phases of growth.
