Somatic embryogenesis tissue culture for the propagation of conifer seedlings: a technology comes of age

Abstract

Somatic embryogenesis is a tissue culture method of asexual propagation used in horticulture, agriculture, and to some extent in forestry as a means of rapidly multiplying elite varieties or clones. This paper reviews the development of somatic embryogenesis tissue culture procedures for interior spruce— Picea glauca (Moench) Voss × Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm. Various components of tissue culture protocols, scale-up technology, nursery production, and field performance arc discussed, as is how this vegetative propagation technology is being integrated within an existing tree improvement program. The somatic embryogenesis tissue culture technology is also compared with the other propagation technologies currently used within forest regeneration