PROCESS FOR KARYOTYPING MITOTIC CHROMOSOMES OF SPATHOGLOTTIS SPP. AND OTHER ORCHIDS
Assignee / Owner: Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI-DOST)
Field / Industry: Plant breeding
Patent Number / Registration Number: 2-2011-000282
Status of Application: Granted
Brief Description / Features of the Technology:
The technology is a procedure for karyotyping mitotic chromosomes of Spathoglottis and other orchid species, subspecies, varieties, formas and hybrid clones. It also involves the development of an improved staining formula and techniques of preparing chromosome slides for easy observation and characterization of chromosomes of Spathoglottis and other orchid species.
Problem Addressed:
“A lot of amateur orchid breeders are producing Spathoglottis and other orchid hybrids without considering the genetic stability. Also, chromosome studies in Orchidaceae are few, dispersed and incomplete. So far, only about 10% of all the species are analyzed making the chromosomal evolution of this family in great debate (Davina et aI., 2009). To date, in Spathoglottis alone, there were only about four species studied out of about 46 members of this genus (Hsu, 1972; Roy & Sharma, 1971; IPCN, 1979). Standardizing a cytological technique to study the genus is therefore of great importance.”
Advantages:
“The technology can help plant breeders and growers understand the genetic features and evolutionary relationships of Spathoglottis species and other orchids and in cytology and karyotyping studies.
The karyotype analysis would be very important in unravelling the secrets of their phylogenetic affinities, ploidy origins and evolutionary relationships and speciation so as to further explore the possibilities of having new hybrids and cultivars of great value.”
Market Potential / Application:
“Spathoglottis is both a very good pot plant and a common favorite in a tropical landscape. The plicate leaves can easily blend with other plants and the colourful, starshaped flowers make the garden more interesting. Because of these features, market demand for this ground orchid never fails to be in the list of priority plants for export (OP 134, 2009; Costales,2006).
Therefore, breeding and production of this orchid genus and understanding the genetic features and evolutionary relationships of Spathoglottis species and other orchids through cytology and karyotyping studies are very important because of its promising future for floriculture industry.”
Inventor/s:
Fernando B. Aurigue