Effect of Temperature and Storage Duration on Germination Process of Encapsulated Protocorms of Dactylorhiza umbrosa

The extinction threatens some native orchids which has economic value. Artificial seed technology can prevent the extinction of these plants and can be suitable for producing and exporting of product. In this study, protocorms of Dactylorhiza umbrosa were encapsulated. The effects of three temperature treatments 4, 20, and 25°C were investigated during three periods 30, 60, and 90-days of artificial seed storage. Percentage of artificial seed germination during storage conditions, after storage, total percentage of germination and number of days required for germination incidence, were investigated. The highest germination percent during storage conditions was related to 90-days storage at 4 and 25 ° C, and the lowest obtained after 30 days at 4 ° C, which did not show any germination. The highest germination percentage of artificial seeds after storage and cultivation was observed in 60 days stored seeds at 4 °C. The highest total percentage of germination was obtained after 60 and 90 days storage at 20 and 4 °C, respectively. The highest number of days befor germination incidence was observed after 60 days of storage. The best treatment for storage of artificial seeds was 4 °C for 30 and 60 days, which showed the lowest percentage of germination during storage conditions and the highest percentage of germination after culturing.