AMOROSO, CECILIA BELTRAN* and VICTOR B. AMOROSO. Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon,8710 Philippines. - Micropropagation and plantlet production of the endangered and endemic giant staghorn fern of the Philippines (Platycerium grande(Fee)Presl.).
Platycerium grande(Fee)Presl. or giant staghorn fern is a
highly prized ornamental, endemic and endangered plant of the
Philippines.This study was conducted to determine the appropriate
culture medium and conditions for spore germination, gametophyte, and
sporophyte development of P. grande; to find out the optimum
potting medium and conditions for acclimatization of the plantlets;
and to mass propagate the plantlets. Spores of P. grande
readily germinated 11-20 days from sowing in agar culture medium with
small amount of nutrients.Plantlets arose from the prothalli 7 months
from spore inoculation. When the plantlets were transferred to wire
baskets and clay pots containing chopped adventitious roots of
Cyathea 12 months from inoculation, they developed bigger
leaves. Many of these plantlets are growing vigorously in the
greenhouse of the Department of Biology,College of Arts and Sciences,
Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines. Thus,
micropropagation (spore culture) is one way of conserving and
propagating the endangered and endemic P. grande.
Key words: plantlet production, Platycerium grande, spore culture