Somatic embryogenesis as a main tool in forest biotechnology

Abstract

ResumenPara dar sentido agronómico a diferentes biotecnologías de aplicación, esto es, para poder transferir las posibilidades que ofrecen a la actividad operativa, es necesario disponer de una técnica fiable de regeneración de plantas. El cultivo de tejidos de genotipos valiosos, de meristemos libres de virus, de células transformadas, etc., no sirve de nada desde un punto de vista aplicado si de ellos no es posible conseguir la multiplicación en masa de dichos genotipos selectos, obtener plantas saneadas o lograr plantas transgénicas, en condiciones económicamente viables. La embriogénesis somática está ampliamente considerada como la mejor vía de regeneración que utiliza las técnicas de cultivo de tejidos vegetales en biotecnología forestal. Los avances actuales en biotecnología-genómica están teniendo un gran impacto en el uso de material selecto en muchos programas de mejora. La embriogénesis somática está contribuyendo a la producción de plantas transgénicas y a la consecución de la silvicultura clonal de alta productividad, con calidad de madera mejorada y menor impacto de enfermedades, en plantaciones forestales. Este artículo revisa la situación actual de la embriogénesis somática aplicada a especies forestales.Palabras clave: Regeneración de plantas, cultivo in vitro de tejidos vegetales. Summary Somatic embryogenesis as a main tool in forest biotechnologyTo give agronomic value, that is, to be able to transfer the benefits of different biotechnologies of application to operational purposes, a reliable plant regeneration technique is needed. Tissue culture of valuable genotypes, of virus-free meristems, of transformed cells, etc., is not worth if we are not able to mass propagating clonal plants, to obtain healthy plants or to achieve transgenic plants. Somatic embryogenesis is widely assumed to be the best tissue culture-based way of regenerating plants in forest biotechnology. Recent advances in biotechnology-genomics are having an important effect on the deployment of selected genetic plant materials in many breeding programs. Somatic embryogenesis is contributing to the release of transformed plants and to the implementation of clonal forestry with improved productivity, enhanced wood quality and reduced diseases in forest plantations. This article review the current status of somatic embryogenesis applied to forest species.

Indirect Organogenesis of Platycladus Orientalis L.

“…Also, several genera are used as ornamental plants in parks and gardens around the world. Some conifer species are obtained by traditional vegetative propagation techniques through seed sowing, which is a slow process; grafting or cuttings from juvenile or adult individuals, both aimed at multiplying species with genotypes of high economic value, endangered or of scenic importance (Prieto, 1992; Celestino et al, 2005). However, this system doesn´t always guarantee the demand and doesn´t always achieve a homogeneous and quality development of the planted trees, since these techniques have their own individual characteristics for each species and work under speci c and exclusive conditions in each case (Gutiérrez, Ruiz and Bustamante, 1996).…”

“…Newton et al (1994) described that, in the case of Pinus elliottii, the best explant for induction was immature embryos in different phases of development. According to Celestino et al (2005), in conifers, the presence of ABA in the culture medium is required for the maturation and multiplication of somatic embryos which before this treatment are globular clusters of a few cells. ABA is added to carry out their histogenesis, differentiation and maturation process until they reach the cotyledonary stage and germinate.…”