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Cost analysis of plant micropropagation of Phalaenopsis

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) volume 126, pages 167–175 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Plant micropropagation has been commercialized for producing high-quality and virus-free plantlets. High cost and intense labors are the main problems with this technique. The concept of system engineering was adopted to describe the schedule of Phalaenopsis micropropagation and to formulate these related parameters. Factors affecting costs were then quantified and analyzed. Here, we illustrate the process of propagating Phalaenopsis. Cost components were vessel, medium, direct and unskilled labor, supervisor, sales and marketing, the building, the equipment, energy, water, and materials. The greatest cost was for skilled labor for transferring plantlets, followed by the electrical cost of running air conditioners. Most of the electrical energy is used for cooling. Factors affecting costs included the loss rate, standard-day capacity, multiplication ratio and daily wage. The multiplication ratio was the main factor in the unit cost and the required total period. Training skilled labor to enhance working capacity is an essential way to significantly reduce costs. Improving the shoot multiplication rate is also effective way tin reducing costs. This method for micropropagation of Phalaenopsis could be used for other crops.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bio-Industrial Mechatronics Engineering, National ChungHsing University, 250 KuoKuang Rd., Taichung, 40227, Taiwan

    Chiachung Chen

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  1. Chiachung Chen
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Correspondence to Chiachung Chen.

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Chen, C. Cost analysis of plant micropropagation of Phalaenopsis . Plant Cell Tiss Organ Cult 126, 167–175 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-016-0987-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-016-0987-4

Keywords

  • Cost analysis
  • Plant micropropagation
  • Phalaenopsis
  • Working capacity