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Light Quality Treatments Improve Pine Somatic Seedling Production Efficiency

Embryogenic cultures of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), slash pine (Pinus elliottii), longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) and slash pine x longleaf pine hybrids were initiated from immature seeds on an initiation medium containing 3 mg/l 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/l BA. Embryogenic cultures proliferated and somatic embryos developed, matured and germinated following a modified protocol and media originally developed for radiata pine (Pinus radiata) somatic seedling production. A discrete, light-sensitive pre-germination stage and a later germination (radicle emergence) stage were identified by the differential response of somatic embryos to light of different wavelengths. Different light quality treatments were applied during the pre-germination and germination steps, using cool white fluorescent bulbs and/or light-emitting diodes (LEDs).


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Author(s): Scott A. Merkle, P. M. Montello, X. Xia, Dale R. Smith

Publication: Tree Improvement and Genetics - Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference - 2005