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Research article2003Peer reviewedOpen access

Early selection improves clonal performance and reduces intraclonal variation of Norway spruce plants propagated by somatic embryogenesis

Hogberg, KA; Bozhkov, PV; Von Arnold, S

Abstract

Height growth during the first and second growth periods (i.e., the June-September period in consecutive years) and intraclonal variation were assessed in 13 Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) clones propagated by somatic embryogenesis. The plants were acclimatized and grown in a greenhouse until mid-July and then transferred outdoors. The clonal mean heights after the first and second growth periods were lower for somatic embryo plants than for seedlings from corresponding families sown at the time of somatic embryo plant ex vitro transfer, because a large proportion of somatic embryo plants were small. We determined whether certain selection criteria at ex vitro transfer can be used to identify somatic embryo plants with height growth characteristics comparable with those of seedlings. Epicotyl length and presence of lateral roots proved to be important parameters for selection, whereas main root length was less useful. A combined selection for somatic embryo plants with lateral roots and with an epicotyl length exceeding 8 mm resulted in taller plants and reduced intraclonal variation after the first and second growth periods. The growth of somatic embryo plants selected in this way was similar to that of seedlings from the corresponding families. We conclude that selection according to these criteria at ex vitro transfer can result in improved performance of clonal stock propagated by somatic embryogenesis.

Keywords

epicotyl length; height growth; lateral roots; Picea abies

Published in

Tree Physiology
2003, Volume: 23, number: 3, pages: 211-216

      SLU Authors

    • Bozhkov, Peter

      • Department of Forest Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

      • Von Arnold, Sara

        • Department of Forest Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

      UKÄ Subject classification

      Forest Science

      Publication identifier

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/23.3.211

      Permanent link to this page (URI)

      https://res.slu.se/id/publ/109911