Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An Updated Overview of Advances in Somatic Embryogenesis in Forest Trees

  • Chapter
Plantation Technology in Tropical Forest Science

10.4 Conclusion

Somatic embryogenesis has the vast potential to produce plants in their millions, and has now become a routine protocol for many trees. However, the use of SE in a wide range of woody plants is yet to be utilized due to several limitations facing the process, including poor germination of somatic embryos, genotypic influences, a limited number of explants inducing SE, and somaclonal variation. These limitations have hindered the commercialization of SE in a wide range of forest trees. Further research is required at both the biochemical and molecular levels to understand the mechanism of SE, enabling the induction of SE in other recalcitrant woody species. A sharp focus is needed to increase the rate of ESM establishment, improving yield from established ESM, and increasing the germination rate of somatic embryos for commercialization, without which this technology will have very limited scope (Timmis 1998). Automation of somatic-seed production is the ultimate goal of commercial seed industries. The combination of high technology with tissue culture, including computer-aided image analysis, robotics, bioreactors (including temporary immersion systems) somatic-embryo encapsulation, development of appropriate somatic-embryo coating material, etc., require further investment for producing millions of somatic seeds in a short time and to cut down the cost of seed production. The genetic fidelity of somatic seedlings is important for all of this, which can be tested with molecular markers, such as AFLPs or microsatallites. Although several molecular markers are available, a reliable molecular diagnostic kit is still needed for the early detection of genetic variability during plant development.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Akula A, Becker D, Bateson M (2000) High-yielding repetitive somatic embryogenesis and plant recovery in a selected tea clone, TRI-2025, by temporary immersion. Plant Cell Rep t 19:1140–1145

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Attree SM, Moore D, Sawhney VK, Fowke LC (1991) Enhanced maturation and desiccation tolerance of white spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss] somatic embryos: Effects of non-plasmolysing water stress and abscisic acid. Ann Bot 68:519–525

    Google Scholar 

  • Attree SM, Pomeroy MK, Fowke LC (1992) Manipulation of conditions for the culture of somatic embryos of white spruce for improved triacylglycerol biosynthesis and desiccation tolerance. Planta 187:395–404

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barry-Etienne D, Bertrand B, Schlonvoigt A, Etienne H (2002) The morphological variability within population of coffee somatic embryos produced in a bioreactor affects the regeneration and the development of plants in the nursery. Plant Cell Tiss Org Cult 68:153–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bellarosa R, Mo LH, Von Arnold S (1992) The influence of auxin and cytokinin on proliferation and morphology of somatic embryos of Picea abies (L.) Karst. Ann Bot 70:199–206

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bonga JM, Von Aderkas P (eds) (1992) In vitro culture of trees. Kluwer, Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • Carrier DJ, Cunningham JE, Taylor DC, Dunstan DI (1997) Sucrose requirements and lipid utilisation during germination of interior spruce (Picea glauca engelmannii complex) somatic embryos. Plant Cell Rept 16:550–554

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cerda F, Aquea F, Gebauer M, Medina C, Arce-Johnson P (2002) Stable transformation of Pinus radiata embryogenic tissue by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Plant Cell Tiss Org Cult 70:251–257

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chalupa V (1995) Somatic embryogenesis in oak (Quercus spp.) In: Jain SM, Gupta PK, Newton RJ (eds) Somatic embryogenesis in woody plants, vol 2, Kluwer, Netherlands, pp 67–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheliak WM, Klimaszewska K (1991) Genetic variation in somatic embryo response in open-pollinated families of black spruce. Theor Appl Genet 82:185–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cyr DR (1999) Cryopreservation of embryogenic cultures of conifers and its application to clonal forestry. In: Jain SM, Gupta PK, Newton RJ (eds) Somatic embryogenesis in woody plants, vol 4, Kluwer, Netherlands, pp 239–262

    Google Scholar 

  • Cyr Dr, Lazaroff WR, Gimes SMA, Quan G, Bethume TD, Dunstan DI, Roberts DR (1994) Cryopreservation of interior spruce (Picea glauca engelmanni complex) embryogenic cultures. Plant Cell Rept 13:574–577

    Google Scholar 

  • Durzan DJ, Gupta PK (1987) Somatic embryogenesis and polyembryogenesis in Douglas fir cell suspension cultures. Plant Sci 52:229–235

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Etienne H, Berthouly M (2002) Temporary immersion system in plant micropropagation. Plant Cell Tiss Org Cult 69:215–231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feuser S, Meler K, Daquinta M, Guerra MP, Nodari RO (2003). Genotypic fidelity of micropropagated pineapple (Ananas comosus) plantlets assessed by isozyme and RAPD markers. Plant Cell Tiss Org Cult 72:221–227

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Finer JJ, Kriebel HB, Becwar MR (1989) Initiation of embryogenic callus and suspension cultures of eastern pines (Pinus strobes L.). Plant Cell Rept 8:203–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fourre JL, Berger P, Niquest L, Andre P (1997) Somatic embryogenesis and somaclonal variation in Norway spruce: morphogenetic, cytogenetic and molecular approaches. Theor Appl Genet 94:159–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta PK, Durzan DJ (1987) Biotechnology of somatic polyembryogenesis and plant regeneration in loblolly pine. Bio/Tech 5:147–151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta PK, Grob J (1995) Somatic embryogenesis in conifers. In: Jain SM, Gupta PK, Newton RJ (eds) Somatic embryogenesis in woody plants, Vol 1. Kluwer, Netherlands, pp 81–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta PK, Pullman GS (1991) Method for producing coniferous plants by somatic embryogenesis using abscisic acid and osmotic potential variation. U.S. Patent No. 5,036,007

    Google Scholar 

  • Ibaraki Y, Kurata K (2001) Automation of somatic embryo production. Plant Cell Tiss Org Cult 65:179–199

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ingram B, Mavituna F (2000) Effect of bioreactor configuration on the growth and maturation of Picea sitchensis somatic embryo cultures. Plant Cell Tiss Org Cult 61:87–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jain SM (2002a) Feeding the world with induced mutations and biotechnology. In: INC02 conference proceedings, Seminar 1, October 2002: Agriculture & Biosciences, MINT, Malaysia, pp 1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Jain SM (2002b) A review of induction of mutations in fruits of tropical and subtropical regions. Acta Hort 575:295–302

    Google Scholar 

  • Jain SM, Brar DS, Ahloowalia BS (eds) (2002) Molecular techniques in crop improvement. Kluwer, Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • Jain SM, Gupta PK, Newton RJ (eds) (1995) Somatic embryogenesis in woody plants, vol 1–3. Kluwer, Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • Jain SM, Gupta PK, Newton RJ (eds) (1999) Somatic embryogenesis in woody plants, vol 4–5. Kluwer, Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • Jain SM, Gupta PK, Newton RJ (eds) (2000) Somatic embryogenesis in woody plants, vol 6. Kluwer, Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • Jain SM, Ishii K (1998) Recent advances in somatic embryogenesis in forest trees. In: Mantell SH, Burns S, Tragardh C (eds) Recent advances in biotechnology for tree conservation and management. International Foundation for Science, Stockholm, Sweden, pp 214–231

    Google Scholar 

  • Jain SM, Dong N, Newton RJ (1989) Somatic embryogenesis in slash pine (Pinus elliottii) from immature embryos cultured in vitro. Plant Sci 65:233–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jain SM, Newton RJ, Soltes EJ (1988) Enhancement of somatic embryogenesis in Norway spruce (Picea abies L.). Theor Appl Genet 76:501–506

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu CH, Harry IS, Thompson MR, Thorpe TA (1991) Plantlet regeneration from cultured embryos and seedling parts of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.). Bot Gaz 152:42–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murashige T, Skoog F (1962) A revised medium for rapid growth and bioassay with tobacco tissue cultures. Physiol Plant 15:473–497

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muralidharan EM, Mascarenhas AF (1995) Somatic embryogenesis in Eucalyptus. In: Jain SM, Gupta PK, Newton RJ (eds) Somatic embryogenesis in woody plants, vol 2, Kluwer, Netherlands, pp 23–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Norgaard JV (1997) Somatic embryo maturation and plant regeneration in Abies nordmanniana LK. Plant Sci 124:211–221

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Newton RJ, Bloom JC, Bivans, DH, Jain SM (2001) Stable genetic transformation of conifers. Phytomorphology Golden Jubilee Issue, 421–434

    Google Scholar 

  • Percy REL, Livingston NJ, Moran JA, Von Aderkas P (2001) Desiccation, cryopreservation and water relations parameters of white spruce (Picea glauca) and interior spruce (Picea glauca x engelmannii complex) somatic embryos. Tree Physiol 21:1303–1310

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Predieri S (2001) Mutation induction and tissue culture in improving fruits. Plant Cell Tiss Org Cult 64:185–210

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Radojevic L, Alvarez C, Rodriguez A, Rodriguez R (2002) Induction of somatic embryogenesis in response to the application of cytokinins and auxins during mature embryo culture of Pinus nigra Arn. Propagation of Orna Plants 2:24–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts DR, Webster EB, Flinn BS, Lazaroff WR, Cyr DR (1993) Somatic embryogenesis in spruce. In: Redenbaugh K (ed) SynSeeds Application of synthetic seeds to crop improvement. CRC, Boca Raton, pp 427–452

    Google Scholar 

  • Rohr R, Piola F, Pasquier P (1997) Somatic embryogenesis in Cephalotaxus harringtonia embryo-megagametophyte co-culture. J For Res 2:69–73

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruaud JN, Bercetche, Paques M (1992) First evidence of somatic embryogenesis from needle less than one year old Picea abies. Plant Cell Rept 11:563–566

    Google Scholar 

  • Thakur RC, Goto S, Ishii K, Jain SM (1999) Monitoring genetic stability in Quercus serrata Thunb. somatic embryogenesis using RAPD markers. J For Res 4:157–160

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Timmis R (1998) Bioprocessing for tree production in the forest industry: conifer somatic embryogenesis. Biotechnol Prog 14:156–166

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tran Thanh Van K, Le BV (2000) Current status of thin cell layer method for the induction of organogenesis or somatic embryogenesis. In: Jain SM, Gupta PK, Newton RJ (eds) Somatic embryogenesis in woody plants, vol 6. Kluwer, Netherlands, pp 51–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Vendrame WA, Holliday CP, Merkle SA (2001) Clonal propagation of hybrid sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua x L. formosana) by somatic embryogenesis. Plant Cell Rept 20:691–695

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Von Arnold S, Egersdotter U, Ekberg I, Gupta P, Mo H, Norgaard J (1995) Somatic embryogenesis in Norway spruce (Picea abies). In: Jain SM, Gupta PK, Newton RJ (eds) Somatic embryogenesis in woody plants, vol 3. Kluwer, Netherlands, pp 17–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Von Arnold S, Sabala I, Bozhkov P, Dyachok J, Filonova L (2002) Developmental pathways of somatic embryosis. Plant Cell Tiss Org Cult 69:233–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watt MP, Blakeway FC, Termignoni R, Jain SM (1999) Somatic embryogensis in Eucalyptus grandis and E. dunnii. In: Jain SM, Gupta PK, Newton RJ (eds) Somatic embryogenesis in woody plants, vol 5. Kluwer, Netherlands, pp 63–78

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Biology, Horticulture Section, PL-27, Helsinki University, 00014, Finland

    S. Mohan Jain

Authors
  1. S. Mohan Jain
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, 252-8510, Japan

    Kazuo Suzuki (Dr. Agr. Professor) & Satohiko Sasaki Ph.D. (Professor) (Dr. Agr. Professor) &  (Professor)

  2. Forestry and Forest Product Research Institute, 1 Matsunosato, Tsukuba, 305-8687, Japan

    Katsuaki Ishii (Dr. Agr.) & Shobu Sakurai (Dr. Agr.) (Dr. Agr.) &  (Dr. Agr.)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2006 Springer-Verlag Tokyo

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Jain, S.M. (2006). An Updated Overview of Advances in Somatic Embryogenesis in Forest Trees. In: Suzuki, K., Ishii, K., Sakurai, S., Sasaki, S. (eds) Plantation Technology in Tropical Forest Science. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/4-431-28054-5_10

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation