Abstract
To apply somatic embryogenesis to clonal propagation of forest species, the technique must be applicable to a broad range of genotypes and allow efficient regeneration of phenotypically normal plants. Seventy-one lines (genotypes) of embryogenic cultures from six open-pollinated families were obtained by culturing immature embryos of interior spruce. Interior spruce represents a mixture of two closely related species, Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss and Piceaengelmannii Parry, from the interior of British Columbia where they hydridize with one another. The abscisic acid dependent developmental profile (the proportion of rooty embryos, shooty embryos, precociously germinating embryos, and mature embryos over a range of abscisic acid concentrations) differed among genotypes, but in general, production of mature somatic embryos was highest at 40 and 60 μM abscisic acid. Treatment of mature embryos with a high relative humidity treatment resulted in partial drying of the embryos and upon rehydration, markedly enhanced germination of the eight genotypes tested. Within 1 week of being placed under germination conditions, somatic embryos treated with the high relative humidity treatment showed 80–100% germination for 12 of the genotypes, and most genotypes had germination rates of greater than 40%. Survival of "emblings" (germinants from somatic embryos) following transfer to soil, acclimatization, and first season's growth in the nursery was 80% or greater for most genotypes. Over 1200 emblings were tested for nursery performance, representing the first large-scale evaluation of conifer somatic embryos under exvitro conditions. Growth rates, final height, shoot and root morphology, and frost hardiness were similar for emblings and seedlings following the first growing season. These results indicate that somatic embryogenesis can be used for the production of planting stock for a range of interior spruce genotypes.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.