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Douglas fir embryogenic tissue initiation

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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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biology and Institute of Paper Science and Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology, 500 10th Street N.W., Atlanta, GA, 30332-0620, USA

    Gerald S. Pullman

  2. Institute of Paper Science and Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology, 500 10th Street N.W., Atlanta, GA, 30332-0620, USA

    Shannon Johnson & Kylie Bucalo

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  1. Gerald S. Pullman
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  2. Shannon Johnson
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Correspondence to Gerald S. Pullman.

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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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