Siberian Larch Reproduction Using the Somatic Embryogenesis Biotechnology

Abstract

The biotechnology of somatic embryogenesis in vitro, combined with genomic selection and cryopreservation is used to create varietal genetically tested fast-growing plantations (Multi-Varietal Forestry program (MVF), Park, 2014, 2016, 2018). In 2008, the Sukachev Forest Institute of the Siberian Branch of the RAS has developed for the first time the biotechnology of somatic embryogenesis for Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) and obtained 42 proliferating cell lines consisting of embryonal-suspensor mass (ESM). The age of cell lines reaches 13 years. Significant variability was observed between cell lines in the number and size of globular embryos in proliferating embryogenic cultures, and in the ability of somatic embryos to mature and germinate. In different cell lines, the number of globular somatic embryos per 1 g of ESMs fresh weight ranges from 2040 to 11103, with 10 to 1220 embryos maturing. The regenerants germinate in a growth chamber, and plantlets of individual cell lines grow successfully in a greenhouse and then in the soil of the forest nursery at the Forest Institute’s Pogorelsky Bor station. Genotyping of clones at microsatellite loci showed their complete genetic identity to the cell line from which they were obtained. In cloned Siberian larch trees at the age of seven, the initiation of generative organs forming occurred. Thus, at present, it is possible to quickly implement the MVF program for plantation forestry in Russia.