An efficient method of mass propagation of Dendrobium chrysotoxum Lindl. was developed using a shoot-tip culture system. Both direct and callus-mediated formation of protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) occurred from the basal cut surface of explants. Frequency of callusing was best in the presence of 2 mM thidiazuron (TDZ) or N 6 -benzylaminopurine (BAP). The callus exhibited complete hormone autonomy for growth and differentiation of PLBs and was maintained for 18 months without any exogenous growth regulators, an aspect important for minimising somaclonal variation. However, the rate of callus growth and PLB formation varied with application of cytokinin and auxin. In addition, the callus exhibited a differential sensitivity to the exogenous cytokinins. While BAP promoted callus growth and PLB differentiation, TDZ was inhibitory to callus mediated PLB formation and caused extensive necrosis of callus. Although a-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) had no significant effect on the induction of callus, subsequent growth was best in its presence. Using a 3-month subculture period, a 69-fold increase in callus weight was achieved with 0.5 mM NAA, while as many as 133 PLBs could be obtained per 100 mg callus in the presence of 1 mM NAA. For direct PLB formation, the optimum cytokinin dosage was dependent upon the type of cytokinin used. While TDZ was most effective at a concentration of 1 mM (15 PLBs per explant), for similar PLB yield the application of 8 mM BAP was essential.

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