Corresponding author : Jenny Aitken-Christie

Aitken-Christie , Jenny^1* ;

¹Carter Holt Harvey Forest Genetics, P.O. Box 2463, Rotorua, NEW ZEALAND

* indicates the presenting author(s)

Title : SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS FOR LARGE-SCALE CLONAL TESTING AND PROPAGATION OF ELITE MATERIAL

Abstract : Organogenesis of radiata pine has limitations in multiplication rate, genetic transformability and in aging of clonal material. This will likely lead to higher costs, unrealised genetic potential, and loss of growth rates and clones. The full commercial potential of current technology will not be realised, unless substantial research advancement is made to overcome these issues. Global research progress on somatic embryogenesis of conifers has advanced tremendously in the past 10 years by many major forestry companies, universities and research organisations. Thus, the application of new embryogenesis technology will advance at a faster rate than organogenesis-based protocols. The status of organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis tissue culture techniques for radiata pine will be compared. One of the greatest attributes of the somatic embryogenesis technology is the ability to successfully cryostore juvenile embryogenic tissue, which has a low physiological age, for very long periods. Juvenile copies of the germplasm can be maintained while clonal material is field tested on a large-scale, and elite clones can subsequently be selected and used for advanced breeding programmes and commercial forestry. The development of this technology for the propagation of elite material of radiata pine in a commercial environment will be described.

Organogenesis of radiata pine has limitations in multiplication rate, genetic transformability and in again of clonal material. This will likely lead to higher costs, unrealised genetic potential and loss of growth rates and clones. The full commercial potential of current technology will not be realised, unless substantial research advancement is made to overcome these issues. Global research progress on somatic embryogenesis of conifers has advanced tremendously in the past 10 years by many major forestry companies, universities and research organisations. Thus, the application of new embryogenesis technology will advance at a faster rate than organogenesis-based protocols. The status of organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis tissue culture techniques for radiata pine will be compared.

One of the greatest attributes of the somatic embryogenesis technology is the ability to successfully cryostore juvenile embryogenic tissue, which has a low physiological age, for very long periods. Juvenile copies of the germplasm can be maintained while clonal material is field tested on a large -scale, and elite clones can subsequently be selected and used for advanced breeding programmes and commercial forestry. The development of this technology for the propagation of elite material of radiata pine in a commercial environment will be described.