Somatic Embryogenesis of Norway Spruce and Scots Pine: Possibility of Application in Modern Forestry

Mikołaj Krzysztof Wawrzyniak,Ewelina Ratajczak,Aleksandra Maria Staszak,Joanna Kijowska-Oberc,Teresa Hazubska-Przybył

doi:10.3390/f13020155

Mikołaj Krzysztof Wawrzyniak, Ewelina Ratajczak + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/f13020155

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Journal: Forests	Publication Date: Jan 20, 2022
Citations: 12	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences

Abstract

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is an important method for the vegetative propagation of trees. SE is the developmental in vitro process in which embryos are produced from somatic cells. This method can be integrated with other biotechnological techniques, genomic breeding and cryopreservation, which enables commercial-scale sapling production of selected high-yielding genotypes in wood production combined with fast breeding cycles. The SE is potential tool to improve plant stock in comparison with seed orchards. It can be useful for ecologically and economically important species, such as Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), ensuring stable production in the era of climate change and biodiversity crisis. In this review, we summarize the current state of research on problems associated with somatic embryogenesis in P. abies and P. sylvestris.

Highlights

Forests 2022, 13, 155. https://The demand for wood products is predicted to increase in response to a growing population and its needs [1]
Salo et al [90] demonstrated on the basis of changes in polyamine metabolism in this pine that abscisic acid (ABA) + polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatment may act in different ways on the cells in embryoproducing lines and in lines unable to produce somatic embryos
In the former, it is recognized as a signal to trigger the embryogenic pathway; in the latter, it is perceived as osmotic stress, which leads to the activation of stress defence mechanisms in the cells

Summary

Introduction

The demand for wood products is predicted to increase in response to a growing population and its needs [1]. Studies undertaken in recent years from both biochemical and molecular aspects to better understand the mechanisms controlling the SE process in conifers, as well as efforts aimed at improving the conditions for somatic embryo development, germination and acclimatization, give hope for the development of increasingly efficient protocols for these economically important forest tree species. We expect that it could result in the implementation of SE in European breeding programmes in the near future and will help the forest sector overcome the problems caused by climate change and market demands for wood products

Explants and Initiation of SE

Maturation of Somatic Embryos

Nutrients

Germination and Acclimatization

Applied Biotechnology and SE

Possibility of Automation

Findings

Concluding Remarks