Micropropagation and Cryopreservation for Conservation of Western Australian Terrestrial Orchids

Micropropagation and Cryopreservation for Conservation of Western Australian Terrestrial Orchids

micropropagation
cryopreservation protocols

Western Australia has a unique flora that includes a rich highly endemic terrestrial orchid component. However, many of these orchid species are threatened or rare, or in some cases extinct in the wild. Although efforts to conserve endangered species have been forthcoming, much research is still needed to gain a better understanding of the complexities of orchid conservation. The thesis outlines key studies that have been conducted for establishing micropropagation and cryopreservation protocols for
Western Australian terrestrial orchids, an ex situ conservation tool. Caladenia latifolia R.Br., a common Western Australian terrestrial orchid was used for establishing initial in vitro and cryopreservation techniques and protocols (due to readily available seed), followed by research to optimise protocols for Caladenia huegelii Rchb.f., a threatened Western Australian species.

Betty Mauliya Bustam

School of Plant Biology The University of Western Australia Faculty of Science

Theses PhD