IPB Examined the Diversity of Phalaenopsis Orchid
Orchid was a group of plants from the family of Orchidaceae. This family had the highest species diversity and the second largest in the plant world. The diversity of the floral morphology, such as shape, color, and aroma, was the reason why the orchids which became one of the ornamental plants which was interested by the consumers, the collectors, the producers, and the ornamental plant breeders.
Orchid was also one of the leading horticultural products produced by Indonesia and its development was supported by the government as one of the important commodities of horticulture. The export volume of Indonesian orchids in 2014 amounted to 6,980 kilograms with the export value of USD 94,487. Meanwhile, the import volume in 2014 amounted to 7,783 kilograms with the import value of USD 110,442 (Ministry of Agriculture, 2013).
The researchers from Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Aline Sisi Handini (Study Program of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology), Dr. Dewi Sukma and Prof. Sudarsono (Department of Agronomy and Horticulture) conducted the morphological and biochemical diversity analysis on Phalaenopsis orchids (Orchidac eace).
Prof. Sudarsono said, Phalaenopsis or also known as the moon orchid was one of the genera that had developed the enough breeding activities, especially in Taiwan. “Many attract the attention of the breeders to be elders in the crosses in producing the hybrids. Phalaenopsis is very popular and economically developing the new cultivars which is essential in the floriculture industry,” said Prof. Sudarsono.
Further Prof. Sudarsono said, the genetic diversity was one of the important prerequisites in the plant breeding activities. The diversity which was present in the orchids was one possible advantage for the new hybrids, so the similarity analysis of the plant genetic material of the plant breeding needed to be done.
He added, the diversity of the flower colors on Phalaenopsis orchids became one of the focus for the orchid breeders. The flower character on Phalaenopsis orchids was generally formed by two main pigments namely the anthocyanin and the carotenoids. These pigments in some genotypes were not only visible on the flowers but also at the tips of the roots and the leaves.
The morphological analysis of ten genotypes tested showed the diversity rate of 45 percent. The genotypes with a base color of pink flowers had the high anthocyanin content and the genotypes with a base color of yellow-orange flowers had the high carotene content. A significant positive correlation to the anthocyanin pigment content in the leaves and the roots was used to predict the color of pink flowers.(AT/ris)
