Factors affecting somatic embryogenesis in conifers

Abstract

This review seeks to examine the extreme response of isolated somatic plant cells of apical meristematic tissues of mature conifer trees towards specific stress conditions in vitro resulting in somatic embryogenesis. Signal molecules regulating embryo development have been described in angiosperms, but very little is known about somatic rejuvenation in conifers. Recent studies on cloning of mature conifers provide new perspectives on signal molecules on cellular dedifferentiation into the embryogenic pathway. Our recent studies show that signal molecules such as butenolide, calcium ions, salicylic acid, antioxidants, amino acids, triacontanol and 24-epibrassinolide all play an important role in the conversion of somatic cells into an embryogenic pathway in many recalcitrant pines. This constitutes a major breakthrough in forest biotechnology with many practical applications in clonal forestry.

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