Abstract
The study of somatic embryogenesis in Juniperus communis has been conducted as a preliminary study for the further development of somatic embryogenesis, micropropagation and long-term conservation/cryopreservation in Juniperus procera, which is economically and ecologically important and endangered forest species in Ethiopia. The aim for this particular research was initially an adaptation of optimum half strength lithium chloride-sodium propionate (LP) medium protocol for growth and proliferation of embryogenic culture. But as other conifer species it was difficult to stop proliferation of somatic embryo cell division and bring them to maturation stage. However using optimal concentration of ABA (32 mg/l), it was possible to get maturation response in most of the cultures. Additional study on the effect of seed extraction to the growing embryogenic culture showed no effect on mature somatic embryos. Rather they were showing faster growth which increases embryogenic mass of each culture. It was also observed that green premature seeds of Juniperus are suitable for the initiation and proliferation of somatic embryo. Key words: Cryopreservation, Juniperus communis, Juniperus procera, Somatic embryogenesis.
Highlights
Juniperus procera is an evergreen dioecious, more seldom monoecius tree, which belongs to the family Cupressaceae
Somatic embryogenesis is favoured over other methods of vegetative propagation because of the possibility to scale up the propagation by using bioreactors
In order to compare the morphology of the embryogenic culture model of J. communis and nonembryogenic culture of J. procera, different concentration of ABA were applied on 15 lines of J. procera
Summary
Juniperus procera is an evergreen dioecious, more seldom monoecius tree, which belongs to the family Cupressaceae. It is the tallest/largest juniper tree in the world (Pohjonen and Pukkala, 1992; Negash, 1995). It has two developmental phases, the juvenile and the adult stage. They are characterized by their distinctive trunk and crown shapes. The male cones are small and round. They are borne individually and terminally on short branch lets. Juniper trees flower and give fruits through out the year in Ethiopia without an interrupting resting stage (Achalu, 1995)
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