In vitro development of the Mexican endemic twig epiphyte Erycina hyalinobulbon (Orchidaceae) to promote its conservation

Background and Aims: Orchids in Mexico are mainly threatened by deforestation, changes in land use, illegal trade, deficiencies in environmental policy and legislation, and a lack of community participation in the conservation of their forests. Erycina hyalinobulbon is an endemic twig epiphyte orchid with a short life cycle and with large flowers in relation to its size, for which it has been harvested from its wild populations. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the in vitro development of E. hyalinobulbon in culture media with organic supplements, to compare sucrose vs. N’Joy Stevia® as a carbon source for its initial stages of development, and to evaluate the development of its seedlings in media enriched with plant growth regulators (PGR). Methods: For the sowing of seeds, PhytamaxTM and MS medium at 30% of its basal salts were used in combination with organic supplement (coconut milk, pineapple puree and banana puree), along with the Phy medium used as control. In order to measure the effect of sucrose vs. N´Joy Stevia® as a carbon source, these two treatments were used, with the PhytamaxTM medium. To evaluate the development of seedlings with PGR, three treatments were tested: the 100% PhytamaxTM control, 30% PhytamaxTM with 1.166 ml/l of Maxi-grow and the medium Chiu. Key results: PhytamaxTM medium added with banana promoted germination by 9.3%, being a low cost and easy production option. Ninety days after sowing, N´Joy Stevia® as a carbon source promoted germination by 8%. The best development of the seedlings was registered in the medium PhytamaxTM without PGR. Conclusions: With this study, it was possible to develop an accessible in vitro propagation system for E. hyalinobulbon, in order to sustainably manage it and favor its conservation.