Genetic Stability in Micropropagated Orchids: Assessment by Molecular Markers and Flow Cytometry

Orchids occupy a significant position in the international floricultural market because of their spectacularly beautiful flowers with varied sizes, forms, patterns, and colorations. Apart from their high ornamental values, they are known for therapeutic application in the traditional medicinal system. However, natural orchid resources are quickly depleting because of excessive unregulated commercial collection and mass habitat destruction. Orchid production through conventional propagation methods cannot meet the present demands for these ornamental plants. Micropropagation of orchids through plant tissue culture provides an excellent opportunity to propagate true-to-type quality plants on a large scale rapidly. However, somaclonal variation may appear in the in vitro clones producing undesired plants with phenotypic and molecular defects. It is obligatory to test the genetic integrity of the propagated plants to ensure the production of identical quality orchids. Genetic stable orchids are produced by evaluating the fidelity of the regenerants using molecular markers. The present chapter highlights the genetic stability assessment of several micropropagated orchids using molecular markers and the flow cytometry method.

Keywords: Explants, Flow cytometry, Genetic stability, Molecular markers, Monomorphic, Micropropagation, Orchids, Polyploidy, Polymorphism, Somaclonal variation.