Elimination of mixed ‘Odontoglossum ringspot’ and ‘Cymbidium mosaic’ viruses from Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘V3’ through shoot-tip culture and protocorm-like body selection

Phalaenopsis is one of the most popular orchid plants in the global market. Several viruses have been reported to negatively impact its growth, yield and quality. A mixed infection of Odontoglossum ringspot virus and Cymbidium mosaic virus was detected in Phalaenopsis hybrid “V3” (Phal. Yukimai × Phal. Taisuco Kochdian) plants in Taiwan. In the present communication, we report a relatively simple protocol for elimination of these two viruses using shoot-tip culture, and early isolation and selection of virus free protocorm-like body (PLB) through subcultures. The indexing of viruses in the field grown plants, PLBs and tissue culture plants was carried out by the Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and one-step multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The induction of PLBs in shoot-tips was achieved on 1/2× Murashige and Skoog's basal medium supplemented with 1% sucrose and 0.9% Bacto-agar. PLBs could be maintained, proliferated and converted to plantlets on 1 g/L Hyponex medium supplemented with 1% sucrose, 6% potato pulp, 0.5 g/L tryptone, 0.25% activated charcoal and 0.6% Bacto-agar. The regenerated plantlets from virus-free PLBs acclimatized easily in a greenhouse and showed 100% survival rate. All the tissue culture-raised Phalaenopsis plants in the greenhouse tested negative for the two viruses. Our study demonstrates that some PLB lines selected at the first subculture as virus-free were found to be infected with virus at second subculture, however, re-occurrence of virus was never found in PLB lines at third subculture onwards. Hence, at least 3 subcultures are necessary to authenticate that the cultures are free of viruses. Simple culture media without plant growth regulators used in the present study minimizes the chances of somaclonal variations and ensures genetic uniformity of cultured plantlets, a highly desirable trait in the orchid industry. The method developed in the present study has potential of virus elimination, mass propagation of genetically uniform and virus-free Phalaenopsis plants.