From the Cradle to the Forest: Advances in Conifer Propagation, 1997 Biological Sciences Symposium Proceedings

BCRI has been active in the development of somatic embryogenesis technology (SE) for the establishment and selection of elite genetic material for reforestation. Programs for interior spruce (Sx) and Sitka spruce (Ss) are aimed at the selection of high-yielding and weevil-resistant genotypes. Towards this objective, cryopreservation clone banks 2,050 Sx and 320 Ss embryogenic lines have been created. Somatic seedlings representing 750 interior spruce lines (33 families) were delivered for field-testing during 1994 to 1997, with a delivery of up to 700 lines (15. families) expected during 1998. The Sitka spruce program, initiated in 1994, has resulted in the production of plants representing 220 lines (23 families) for clonal trials in 1997 and 1998. Efforts on plant production in other conifer species are currently in progress. A clone bank of approximately 300 embryogenic lines from 12 top growth-ranked full-sib families of coastal Douglas-fin was established during 1997. Preliminary field testing is expected during 1999. A SE research program for blister-rust resistant western white pine was initiated in 1995.