ADVANCEMENTS IN ORCHID BREEDING IN MARDI

280
Second National Congress on Genetics, I i- I 5 November I 996, Genetics Society of Malaysia
ADVANCEMENTS IN ORCHID BREEDING IN MARDI
FADELAHABDIJLAZIZ
Horticulture Research Centre, MARDI,
Box
12i01, 50774, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
P.O.
ABSTRACT
Orchid breeding at the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDD consists of
collection and conservation of orchid species and hybridization work for evaluation and selection of
potential new hybrids. Presently, a total of 500 orchid species in 100 genera are being collected and
maintained in MARDI. For breeding purposes about 200 potential parental hybrids from Thailand,
Indonesi4 Philippines and Australia are also being maintained. Hybridization for the development of new
potential hybrids are mainly based either on its suitability either as cut flowers, potted plants or landscape
plants. Preferable colours, shape, sizes, spray length, shelf life and grovrth habits are important criteria to be
ionsidered in selection procedures. Orchid programmes in MARDI which started in 1976,have successfully
identified and released several orchid species and hybrids as potential cut flower hybrids, potted plants, as
well as landscape plants for indoor and outdoor landscaping. Recently a new variety Dendrobium Tuanku
Najihah was released by MARDI as potential hybrid for cut flowers. Several indigenous species such as
Calanthe triplicata showed potential as potted and indoor landscape plants.
INTRODUCTION
The orchids are considered to constitute the largest family of flowering plants in the world. In Malaysia there are
about 2,500 orchid species, originating from our jmgles, mountains, islands and swamp/peat Neas' However, as a
result of the current development and opening of forested areas many of our local orchid species are fast becoming
extinct. To conserve these local orchid species, MARDI sets up a programme to collect and maintain these orchid
species. The programme began n 197 6 and presently a total of about 500 species in 100 genera are being collected
in the germplasm collection. Collection trips were frequently organised and two such trips were conducted to the
Belum forest reserved (Fadelah and Hanim, 1993) (Hanim and Fadelah, 1994). The germplasm collection are being
conserved at several locations, such as at the Orchid Comlpex at MARDI and the Orchid Garden, Agricultural
park, Shah Alam. Some of the orchid species are either used in the hybridization programme or being identified for
its suitability either as potted or landscape plants. Several Arachnis species such as Arachnis hookeriana, Arachnis
Ishbel and Arachnis Maggie Oei are used as studs for hybridization work (Rozlaily and Ong, 1994). Coelogne
orchid species are also currently used in interspecific crosses. (Fadelah 1996). Other attractive orchid species such
as Calanthe triplicata was identified as an ideal ornamental plant (Rozlaily, 1993) and Liparis lacerata as an
attractive hanging omamental plants (Nuraini and Rozlaily 1991). 'Jewel' orchid species Nephelaphyllum pulchrum
was also reported from the collection trip to Belum, Perak (Fadelah, 1994). The main objective in MARDI's
breeding programme is to develop new orchid hybrids with a Malaysian identity and favourable characters suitable
for cut flowers and potted plant. However, to begin a successful hybridization progralnme a wide genetic base have
be to established initially. With the availability of these proven 'stud' plants, many more news crosses can be
conducted to satisf,z both the local and overseas markets, lnterspecific (between species) and intergeneric (between
genera) crosses have led to the release of several potential hybrids in the world. [n the past, from the breeding
programme in MARDI, several hybrids were released. The hybrids Ne Trichovanda MARDI, Cattleya
intermediate x Cattleya Bow Bells var. Sri Sanusi, Dendrobium Nila lnangda and Dendrobium Chogm
(Fadelah and
Q.luraini, 1991). Recently, another new orchid hybrid, Dendrobium Tuanku Najihah was released
and
bigibbum
Dendrobium
species,
of
orchid
characters
desirable
Rozlaily, 1996). Hybridizationby incoporating
Second National Congress on Genetics,
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November 1996, Genetics Society of Malaysia
281
Dendrobium affrne have led to the selection of miniature orchid hybrids such as Dendobium Chao Praya Gem,
Dendrobium Chao Praya Gem 'alba' and DendrobiumDr. Utai, which are fast becoming popular as an omamental
plants for decoration (Fadelah, 1995).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Several orchid species collection trips were conducted in this programme. In the past, the places of collection were
mainly conducted at Fraser Hill and Cameron Highlands in Patrang, Islands of Langkawi and Gunung Jerai in
Kedah, Tasik Kenyir and Pulau Redang in Terengganu, Bukit Berembun in Negeri Sembilan, Kota Tinggi in Johor,
Belum in Perak and Mount Kinabalu in Sabah. Normally, only a small sample of plants are being collected, leaving
some to survive in its natural habitat. The sample orchid species are then labeled (genera name) if can be identified
at the time of collection and tansported in guni sacks. These orchid species were planted either in pots or hung on
tee trunks about 0.5 m length. Further identification were conducted when the orchid plants flowered. The
morphological data on the plant tlpes and flowers of orchid species were documented. Studies were also conducted
on the suitability of orchid species either as potted/tranging or landscape plants. For potted/hanging plant the main
criteria are favourable colour, shape of flowers either big or with abundant small flowers, moderate plant size and
easy maintenance. For landscaping, the desirable criteria are attractive plant type and long lasting flowers. Some of
the desirable characters such as with fragrant, favouarble colour and shapes of orchid species was incorporated in
the hybridization work. In the hybridization proglamme many crosses were conducted using the available 'stud'
plants from Thailan4 Indonesia, Phillipines and Austalia. Crossings were conducted among and between genera.
The main emphasis were given to Dendrobium hybrids and Vandaceoru hybrids. Hundreds of cross combinations
were carried out. Fruits developed from successful crosses were then seed cultured in the laboratory. After one year
the young seedlings were planted in thumbpots in the nursery. For another year the matured plants were fuither
transplanted into bigger pots. Evaluation and selection were conducted after one year of tansplanting, that was at
the flowering stage, The new hybrids will be selected either as potted plant or cut flower. The main criteria for cut
flower are hybrids that are frequent bloomer with athactive as well as good arrangement of flowers. Acceptable in
the market, good shelf life, buds that do not wilt before opening and plants that are easily maintained. For potted
plants, the main criteria are athactive flowers, frequent bloomer, small to medium plant type and good shelf life on
the plant. Morphological data on the flowers and plant types of the breeding lines were recorded. Based on the
observation and supported by the data collected selection ofpotential new orchid hybrids were done.
RESULTS
A total of 450 orchid species collected all over Malaysia are maintained at the germplasm collection in MARDI.
Potential orchid species suitable for potted/tranging plants are Agrostoplryllum bicuspidatum, Acriopsis javanica,
Bulboplryllum sessile, Bulboplryllum apodum, Coelogtne cumingii, Dendrobium aloifulium, Dendrobium grande,
Dendrobium pumilum, Dendrobium lobatum, Eria Pudica, Eria neglecta, Eria nutaru and Oberonia miniata.
Aromatic orchid species identified included Vanda dearei, Vanda merilli, Dendrobium anosmum, Dendrobium
pimulum, Dendrobium Loenis, Dendrobium crumenatum, Dendrobium lamellatum, Coelogtne cumingii and,
Coelogtne kaliana. For indoor landscaping Calanthe triplicata wzts identified suitable. Bromheadia
finlaysonianum, Arundina graminifulia, Spathoglottis plicata are other suitable landscape plants. For breeding of
new orchid hybrids a total of 196 'stud' plants are being maintained at MARDI. From the hundreds of crosses
conducted betwwen hybrids, a new hybrid Dendrobium Tuanku Najihah was released recently. This hybrid was
between Dendrobium Caeser Giant and Dendrobium Sonia. The pink flowers of this new hybrid measured about
7.5-10.0 cm horizontally and 7.3-8.8 cm vertically. The flower stalk measured about 46 cm, bearing an average
of 7 flowers and 4 buds. Shelf life was reported to be more thail a week.
282
Second National Congress on Genetics,
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Genetics Society of Malaysia
DISCUSSION
Orchid species collection and conservation will continuously be conducted. This programme is very important,
with the rapid development which involves the destruction of their natural habitat. From the hybridization
progranlme which involves crossings, evaluation and selection of these breeding lines will expect to release many
more new orchid hybrids in the near future.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The author would like thank Dr. Saharan Haji Anang, Director of Horticultrire Research Cenffe, MARDI, for
giving the permission to publish this article. Appreciation was also forwarded to Dr. Chan Ying Kok, Deputy
Director of Horticultwe Research Cenfe, MARDI, for the suppoft and encouragement given. Further appreciation
was also extended to the supporting staff who have rendered their help in one way or another to make this project
supported by IRPA grant HR 01-01-06 possible.
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