ISHS Acta Horticulturae 227: International Symposium on Vegetative Propagation of Woody Species
ROOTING IN WOODY PERENNIALS: PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES WITH SOMATIC EMBRYOS AND ARTIFICIAL SEEDS |
| Author: | Don J. Durzan |
| Abstract:
Rooting of cuttings and of micropropagated shoots continues to be a major constraint for some, but not all, of the commercially important woody perennials. For older proven trees, while rejuvenation by grafting of shoots on young rootstocks and the collection of cuttings from hedges have increased rooting efficiencies, in the long run, another opportunity may arise. This is based on the recovery of plants with preformed roots through the process of somatic embryogenesis and polyembryogenesis. So far, our work has dealt with the recovery of somatic embryos from Prunus, Pinus, Pseudotsuga, and Picea sp. Somatic embryogenesis may overcome some problems in mass propagation especially for certain difficult-to-root woody perennials. The limitation remains, however, that it is usually the new generation and not the mother tree that is propagated by somatic polyembryogenesis. Furthermore, the handling of somatic embryos and construction of artificial seeds are still in the early stages of development. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
