ISHS Acta Horticulturae 300: In Vitro Culture, XXIII IHC
PRACTICAL REGULATION OF WOODY PLANT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT USING BIOTECHNOLOGY |
| Author: | John E. Preece |
| Abstract:
Techniques of biotechnology that result in altered growth of woody landscape plants are discussed, including methods that are used currently as well as procedures that might be employed in the future. Compared to traditional propagation, standard micropropagation techniques frequently result in the production of plants with increased basal branching and changes in overall stem growth. Stem cuttings harvested from stock plants that had been micropropagated often root more readily than those from plants (especially adult forms) propagated by seeds or cuttings. Somaclonal variants with new and interesting forms have resulted from adventitious regeneration of woody plants. Genes for plant hormone biosynthesis have been identified and cloned. These have been inserted into herbaceous species, have become incorporated in the plant's genomic DNA, and have been expressed. The result is increased endogenous hormone biosynthesis. The balance of phytohormones is thus altered and the result is changed plant growth habit. These genes might be useful for modifying the growth of woody landscape plants and may result in forms that perform differently than is typical for a species. This may expand uses for plants and result in new, interesting forms with good economic potential for use in the landscape or forestry. | |
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