Khanh Hoa Provincial Council of Science & Technology has just examined and approved the thesis "Selection and development of some rare species of wild orchids in Hoa Lan Island tourist site, Khanh Hoa Province"...
Khanh Hoa Provincial Council of Science & Technology has just examined and approved the thesis "Selection and development of some rare species of wild orchids in Hoa Lan Island tourist site, Khanh Hoa Province". The results of the study are scientific basis for developing and conserving genetic resources of some rare indigenous wild orchids in the province.
Extinction risk
Khanh Hoa has diverse resources of wild orchids. According to the latest data, Khanh Hoa has more than 200 species, including various endemic orchid species with small distribution areas such as Anoectochilus, Paphiopedilum delenatii and Christensonia. Many are known as medicinal plants such as Anoectochilus, Dendrobium purpureum and Anoectochilus sandvicensis, according to Engineer Tran Gioi (Long Phu Research & Development Center), the thesis director.
Although Khanh Hoa wild orchids are of high value and potentiality, they have not been effectively exploited and used. It is facing the risk of serious decline in the wild. Many endemic orchid species such as Paphiopedilum delenatii, Christensonia, Scorpion Orchids, Dendrobium khanhoaense and Cleisostoma phitamii are at risk of extinction.
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The reasons include wild orchid picking and forest destruction. Although the exploitation and sale of forest orchids may bring income, they have had adverse impacts on the environment, destroying the biodiversity of orchids, especially rare species.
Some gardeners in the province have developed a number of orchids but they are still of low quality and economic value. Rare indigenous orchid genetic resources in the province are thus at risk of extinction.
Conservation of rare wild orchid species
Since 2017, the Provincial People's Committee has approved Long Phu Research & Development Center’s thesis "Selection and development of some rare wild orchids in Hoa Lan Island tourist area, Khanh Hoa Province". The purpose of the study is to select 6 species of rare wild native orchid, namely Christensonia, Dendrobium anosmum Lindl, Dendrobium amabile, Anoectochilus sandvicensis, Rhynchostylis gigantea and Vanilla atropogon in Hoa Lan Island tourist site to propose propagation and farming techniques for conservation and development.
After 3 years, the researchers have selected and collected 311 samples of the 6 above species meeting propagation requirements; successfully propagated 1,416 plants, exceeding the plan of 1,200 plants with an average survival rate of 82%, with more pesticide resistance. The Dendrobium amabile grown from split stems has a survival rate up to 98%. Particularly, 5/6 species of wild orchids, except Vanilla atropogon, have blossomed.
During the experiment and follow-up process, the researchers have gradually improved technical measures from propagating, planting and taking caring of the 6 species of wild orchid suitable for ecological conditions at Hoa Lan Island Tourist Site. Thereby, the research has been compiled into training materials for technical staff. In addition, the researchers have collected data to build a list of 206 species of indigenous wild orchids; including 52 newly recorded in Khanh Hoa.
Besides, since 2017, Hoa Lan Island Tourist Site has built a model to collect and conserve wild orchid. The model is expected to include 100 species of wild native and endemic orchid covering 2ha with 2 nursery gardens of wild orchid (3,000m2); and exhibit of wild orchid attached on living trunks and some wild orchids growing naturally along Tu Sy stream. Up to now, the model has collected and preserved 73 species of forest orchids, including 52 indigenous species in Khanh Hoa and 21 species from other localities. In particular, there are some endemic and rare species of high value and endangered species in the wild. Therefore, at present, the site has implemented a pilot program of propagation and conservation of some species such as Dendrobium anosmum and Rhynchostylis gigantea.
After 3 years of conducting the research, some satisfactory results have some gained, exceeding the plan. Its practical application in reality has been highly appreciated by the Provincial Council of Science & Technology, contributing to data of wild orchid in Khanh Hoa and successful propagation of some wild orchid. Especially, the results of the thesis have shown potentials in application of bio-technology in tissue culture of some rare species of wild orchids, according to Huynh Ky Hanh, Director of Khanh Hoa Department of Science & Technology, Chairman of the Provincial Council of Science & Technology.
Khanh Ha
Translated by N.T
