In Vitro Propagation of Rheophytic Orchid, Epipactis flava Seidenf.—A Comparison of Semi-Solid, Continuous Immersion and Temporary Immersion Systems

Epipactis flava Seidenf. is an endangered Thai rheophytic orchid that has recently shown a rapid decrease in its natural habitat, prompting an urgent need for conservation using ex situ reintroduction methods. Temporary immersion system (TIS) has been successfully applied for large-scale propagation in various plants species. Propagation efficiency of E. flava using TIS was investigated and compared with conventional semi-solid system (SSS) and liquid continuous immersion system (CIS). The highest percentage of new shoot and shoot bud formation was obtained from TIS, followed by CIS and SSS, respectively. Growth parameters as indicated by number of new shoots, shoot buds, shoot height and leaves per explant were significantly higher using TIS than with SSS and CIS. Moreover, the maximum number of new shoots and shoot buds per replication were reliably obtained from TIS higher than SSS and CIS. After acclimatization, the highest survival percentage of plantlets was observed in TIS (76.7%), with 60% surviving after eight weeks of transplantation in artificial stream. TIS was determined as the most suitable culture system for in vitro mass propagation of E. flava compared to CIS and SSS.