Recent Advances in Research on Technology of the Synthetic Seeds with Emphasized on Orchids

The synthetic seed or artificial seed, which called "synseed”, has evolved from a futuristic idea into a real field of research and experimentation. Synthetic seeds are described as alginate-encapsulated somatic embryos, vegetative buds, or any other micro-propagules that usable as seeds and transformed into plantlets after propagating on in vitro or in vivo conditions and also maintain the regeneration potential after storage at low temperature. The making of synthetic seeds using micro-propagules opens a new path in agricultural biotechnology that helps to overcome the challenges faced important economic and medicinal plant species. Orchids are among the most ambiguous of plant species, which in comparison with more other family species, are at risk of extinction. Storage of orchid germplasm mostly seeds and associated mycorrhizal fungi, as well as protocorm like bodies using encapsulation and vitrification standard method allows for secure conservation. Encapsulated propagules are used for in vitro regeneration and mass multiplication at low cost, and also germplasm preservation of elite plant species. Synthetic seeds are inexpensive to produce and easy to handle, plant, transport and have great advantages in comparison with traditional in vitro culture methods. Synthetic seed technology is an optimistic approach to preserve and clonally propagate different endangered, economical and medicinal species of orchids. Under ex vitro conditions, there is positive enhancement of the large scale production of orchid species by bypassing the process of acclimatization.

Keywords:

Advanced Research , Synthetic seeds , Orchid , In vitro , Conservation , PLB’s