Early Field Performance of Interior Spruce Emblings

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a type of vegetative reproduction. It may offer an effective way of utilizing superior genetic material developed by tree improvement programs. Sixteen clonal tests or candidacy trials (CT) were established in the central interior of British Columbia between 1994 and 1998. The objective was to identi@ superior (grovvth and insect tolerance) SE clones from 52 interior spruce (Rcea glauca (Moench) Voss, F? srtgetmannii Parry ex Engslm., and their naturally occurring hybrids) families. More than 48,000 individuals are in these CT. To date, survival has been excellent, greater than 95 percent, and exceeds 99 percent on the oldest (34: Clonal growth is affected more by environment than by genotype even on the oldest CT sites. This will delay the identification of superior SE clones. Attack by the spruce leader weevil (Pissodes strob/ Peck) began this year in the older CT. It will be several years yet before weevil tolerant SE clones can be identified. In addition to biological issues, there are economic and social ones that must be addressed before operational scale deployment of SE emblings. The potential of SE technology is great but the validation process is exceedingly slow and costly.

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Details

Author(s): Christopher D.B. Hawkins

Publication: National Nursery Proceedings - 1998

Event: Forest Nursery Association of British Columbia Meeting
1998 - Victoria, BC

Section: Combined Foresty Nursery Association of British Columbia/Western Forest and Conservation Nursery Association Meeting