Spectral effects on embryogenesis and plantlet growth of Oncidium 'Gower Ramsey'

Embryogenic calli of Oncidium were grown under tubular fluorescent lamp (FL) or light-emitting diode (LED) arrays with different spectra to determine the effects of light quality on protocorm-like body (PLB) formation and plantlet growth from the callus. The effect of light is generated by monochromatic blue, red or mixed far-red LEDs on the photomixotrophic radiation. The light sources induced higher number of PLB formation compared with the darkness. The best condition for PLB formation was to culture on MS half salt medium supplemented with 0.1 mg l(-1) NAA and 0.4 mg l(-1) BA under red + blue + far-red (RBFr) LEDs and FL radiation for 8 weeks. Roughly 3000 embryos were induced in an initial culture of 1 g of fresh weight of calluses. During subculturing, PLBs had the ability to convert into plantlets. In this study also indicated the far-red LED radiation was a noticeable factor. It showed that using Fr combined with R and B (RBFr) or RFr radiation significantly enhanced leaf expansion, numbers of leave and root, chl contents, fresh and dry weight of Oncidium plantlets. Therefore, the wavelength specificity of RBFr LEDs comprising a novel illumination system is advantageous over FLs for PLB formation, resulting in higher efficiencies of plant regeneration and growth in Oncidium cultures. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.