- PersatuanGenetik Malaysia

P4
Developing fragrant orchids:cross-compatibility ofselected parents
Fadelah Abdul Aziz
Horticulture Research Centre, MARDI, P. O. Box 12301, General Post Office,
50774 Kuala Lumpur.
Abstract
The main objective of the research is to value-add the miniature Dendrobium Doctor
Sharil as a potted orchid hybrid with fragrance. To achieve this, selected fragrant
Dendrobium orchid species were identified from MARDI's wild orchid germplasm
collection. The selected fragrant Dendrobium orchid species were Dendrobium anosmum,
Dendrobium crumenotum, Dendrobium leonis and Dendrobium farmeri. These selected
parents were then hybridized with Dendrobium Doctor Sharif. Results showed that
Dendrobium orchid species used as female parents were not as successful compared to
them being used as male parents or pollen donors. Successful results obtained from
hybridizations between Dendrobium anosmum and Dendrobium crumenatum were also
discussed.
Introduction Dendrobium Doctor Sharif is a miniature potted orchid hybrid. This
potential hybrid was developed between the cross combination of an Australian species,
Dendrobium biggibum and a popular commercial miniature hybrid from Thailand,
Dendrobium Chao Praya Gem. Dendrobium Doctor Sharif was released by MARDI and
registered at The International Registration Authority of Orchid Hybrids, England on the
266 January 2000 (Fadelah, A. A. 1999). This potential miniature hybrid is suitable as a
potted indoor plant because of its small plant structure and attractive spray of small but
many purplish coloured flowers. In the past, MARDI has actively conserved wild orchid
species, through many collection expeditions that were conducted throughout Malaysia.
These wild orchid species were then identified and conserved as living collection for
future breeding purposes. (Fadelah, A.A. & Hanim, A. 1995). From the germplasm
collection, fragrant Dendrobium orchid species identified were Dendrobium anosmum,
Dendrob ium crumenatum, Dendrob ium le oni s and Dendrob ium farmeri.
Naturally, fragrantorchid is normally associated with wild species. The fragrance is used
to attract insects for pollination purposes (Infothai, 1999). In orchids, both the male
pollinia and female stigma are present in the same flower and pollination will take place
when the pollinia are placed on the stigma of the same or different flower. For wild
orchid speii"r self- pollination by insect can easily occur. Therefore, in dealing with
female oichid species as a parent, it is essential to remove the anther cap and the pollinia,
so as to avoid self-pollination (Fadelah, A.A. &. Zahatah, H. ed. al. 2001).
The cross-compatibility in the hybridization between orchid hybrid and species will
depend on factors such as time or synchronize flowering between parent orchid plants,
flower maturity (which will determine the right time for a receptive stigma) and the size
of the pollinia.
72
Sharif and
Materials and Methods The hybridization between Dendrobium Doctor
with the respective orchid species, Dendrobium anosmum, Dendrobium crumenatum'
to the availability
Dendrobium leonis and Dend)obium farmeri were conducted according
ensure a good
To
of the flowers. Reciprocal crosses were also carried out (Table 1)'
and the most
successful crossing rates, there is a need to know the right time of crossing
a guide in
as
used
be
can
flower
receptive period o1th" orchid flowers. A fully opened
female
t-1"
determining the maturity of the orchid flowers. The anther cap and pollinia of
flowers esfecially for ihe orchid species were initially removed to avoid selfing. The
pollinated flowers in all cross combinations were carefully labeled and recorded. Many
percentage
trossing of the same cross combinations were repeated, so as to obtain better
of success. The successful pollination can be determined after three days from the
stages by turning
crossing dates. However, the developing pods can still abort at the early
yellow and finally droPPed.
most of
Results and Discussion Generally, poor successful rates were obtained for
the cross combinations between orchid- hybrids and species (Table 1). However, the
cross-compatibility between Dendrobium Doctot Sharif and Dendrobium anosmum
results with 67 - l0o% success. orchid species, Dendrobium
showed
"r.ouruging
with
crumenotum, wiifr I one-day flowering habit showed only slight compatibility
used
were
species
DendrobiumDoctor Sharif (i%). In both occasions, the fragrant orchid
orchid hybrid,
as male flowers, supplying ihe pollinia to the more receptive stigma of the
species,
orchid
that,
indicated
I
also
Dendrobium Doctoi inu.if. Results from table
Dendrobium
with
Dendrobium leonis and Dendrobium farmeri were not compatible
the
Doctor Sharif. This was probably due io the small sized pollinia of the species and
cross
incorrect maturity of the pollinia prior to pollination or crossing' The reciprocal
of
pollinia
was also unsuccessful and this was conversely due to the big sized
ity.
D endr o b ium D octor sharif. Thus resulting in poor cro ss-compatibil
species evaluated, Dendrobium anosmum
hybrid DendrobiumDoctot Sharif- About
orchid
showed the best cross-compatibiiity with
67- IOO% successful .ut. *ui achieved. Another orchid species, Dendrobium
as far as
*umenatum also indicated slight compatibility with the same orchid hybrid
preferred as
crossing was concerned. HowJver, in toth cases, the orchid species were
Sharif'
male pirents, supplying the pollinia to the female flower of Dendrobium Doctot
studies between orchid species and hybrids will be further
The iross
of the
"ornpiti6itiiy
developed by seid culturing the successful formed pods in the laboratory. Planting
evaluation
where
plantleis will then be conducted in the nursery until the flowering stage
and selection of desired fragrant orchid hybrid will be identified.
Conclusion Amongst the fragrant orchid
References
Comber, J.B. (1990). Orchids of Java. Bentham-Moxon Trust' Royal Botanic Gardens
Kew.
Comber, J.B. (2001). Orchid of Sumatra. Natural history Publications (Borneo).
73
A. (1999). Miniature Dendrobium hybrid, Fl76-94-1 for potted plants.
Occasional paper No. 9/1999. Endorsed during the 9911999 Scientific Council Meeting.
Fadelah, A.
Fadelah, A.A. & Hanim, A. (1995). Collection of orchid and ornamental plant species
from Belum, Northern Perak. Special Report. MARDI.
Fadelah, A.A., Zaharah, H, Rozlaily, 2., Nuraini, I., Tan, S.L., Hamidah, S. (2001).
Orchids: The living Jervels of Malaysia. Malaysian Agricultural Research and
Development Institute (MARDI).
Infothai,
(1
999). http ://www.
in fothai.
com/wtcmcr/orch i d.htm I -4.
Acknowledgement
The author wishes to thank Miss Aslina binti Abu Hasan, a graduate student from The
University Malaysia Sarawak and Mrs. Inthirani a./p Ramasamy from MARDI for their
assistance in conducting this project.
Table
No.
l:
Successful rate of hybridization conducted between orchid species and hybrid
Dates
No. of
of Cross combinations
crosses
conducted
crosses
No.
of
successful
crosses (9'o)
1.
9
April
Den. Doctor
X
Den. crumenatum
t4
t (7%)
Der. Doctor Sharif
19
o (0%)
12
rt
6
0 (0%)
J
2 (67%)
2
2 (100%)
Den. leonis
3
0 (o%)
Den. Doctor Sharif
4
o (0%)
farmeri
8
o (0%)
Den. Doctor Sharif
9
0 (0%)
Sharif
2001
Den. crumenatum
2.
14-24
X
Den.Doctor Sharif
X
Den. anosmum(white)
(e2%)
April200l
Den. anosmurz
4.
5.
14
April
Den. Doctor
Sharif
2001
Den. anosmum
6.
7.
14-30 April
20at
Den.
8.
9.
Den. Doctor
leonis
(white) X Den. Doctor Sharif
X
Den. anosmun (pink)
(pink) X
Sharif
X
17-19 April Den. Doctor Sharif
X
X
Den. Doctor Sharif
Den.
2A0t
10.
Den..farmeri
X
74