Abstract
Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is expected to play an important role in the future of US forests by providing increased productivity, sustainability, and uniformity. For broad scale implementation to occur, SE technology must work with a variety of genetically diverse trees. Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb) Franco) is the dominant tree in the Pacific Northwest and has great economic and recreational value. We have developed a highly effective medium for initiation of embryogenic tissue of Douglas fir that contains ABA, biotin, brassinolide, folic acid, MES, pyruvic acid and can be used as a gelled medium or in a gelled-liquid medium overlay system. When tested with many high-value crosses over 2 years, initiation tests averaged initiation in the range of 40–57%. Additionally, a time- and labor-saving tetrazolium chloride embryo staining technique was developed to evaluate seed health and screen out seed sources likely to perform poorly in the initiation process.
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Abbreviations
- ABA:
-
Abscisic acid
- AC:
-
Activated carbon
- BAP:
-
6-Benzylaminopurine
- 2,4-D:
-
2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid
- DF:
-
Douglas fir
- MES:
-
2(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid buffer agent
- SE:
-
Somatic embryogenesis
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Acknowledgments
We thank the member companies of the Institute of Paper Science and Technology (IPST) and IPST at Georgia Tech for financial support and The Timber Company and Weyerhaeuser Company for cones. We are grateful for the help of J. Dregar, S. Duncan, J. Grabowski, R. Gupta, J. Halpin, R. Howie, C. Umejiego, and Y. Zhang.
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Pullman, G.S., Johnson, S. & Bucalo, K. Douglas fir embryogenic tissue initiation. Plant Cell Tiss Organ Cult 96, 75–84 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-008-9462-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-008-9462-1