Zeinab Masoudi Jozchal - Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Sari Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources University, Sari, Iran
Nadali Bagheri - Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Sari Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources University, Sari, Iran
NadAli Babaeian Jelodar - Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Sari Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources University, Sari, Iran
Gholam Ranjbar - Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Sari Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources University, Sari, Iran
Jamshid Farmani - Department of Food Science, Sari Agricultural Sciences &Natural Resources University, Sari, Iran

The sexual reproduction of orchids is a notably slow process. This is due to their seeds lacking endosperm, which necessitates a fungal elicitor for germination in natural conditions. In the current study, we evaluated seed germination and the initial development of the protocorm of Orchis simia, an important medicinal orchid species, using a completely randomized design with three replications. The tetrazolium test revealed that ۳۵% of the seeds were viable. Subsequently, we investigated the influence of casein, activated charcoal, indole acetic acid (IAA), photoperiod, and temperature on the germination of O. simia seeds. The analysis of variance demonstrated varying responses in terms of seed germination percentages, with photoperiod and temperature treatments having a more pronounced impact on germination. The optimal conditions for asymbiotic orchid seed germination in this experiment were achieved using Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium supplemented with one-fifth of nitrate concentration, casein (۲.۰ g/l), activated charcoal (۲.۰ g/l), and an IAA growth regulator (۱.۰ mg/l), resulting in a germination rate of ۳۱%. After a three-month period, the nodes underwent transformation into protocorms. The findings presented in this report can serve as valuable insights for the production of orchid plants and the conservation of this medicinal species.

germination factors, Growth Regulator, orchid, protocorm