REVIEW: In vitro plant regeneration studies and their potential applications in Populus spp.: a review

Abstract

Genus Populus comprises about 25–35 species of deciduous flowering plants in the family Salicaceae which are widely distributed in temperate climates of the Northern Hemisphere. Populus species are important resources in certain branches of industry and have a special role for the scientific study of biological and agricultural systems. The poplar is known for its remarkable significance among the commercially propagated tree species such as teak, eucalyptus, wild cherry, red wood, and radiata pine. In vitro regeneration refers to growing and multiplications of cells, tissues and organs on defined liquid/solid media under aseptic and controlled environments. In vitro clonal propagation of forest trees, due to the high multiplication rate, is an attractive alternative for rapid propagation of elite genotypes of those species that could not easily be propagated through conventional methods. Owing to their widespread uses at the industrial level and for meeting the ever-increasing global demand for biomass production and wood industry, tissue culture techniques can be exploited for rapid cloning and large-scale production of planting material of various poplar species. Recent progress in the field of plant tissue culture determined this area to be one of the most dynamic and promising for experimental biology. Much work has been carried out on in vitro plant regeneration studies in Populus spp. including direct organogenesis, indirect organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis. These reviews provide an insight for in vitro plant regeneration studies in poplar species and their potential in its improvement.