title: Genetic variation in somatic embryogenic response in open-pollinated families of black spruce.
abstract: Zygotic embryos from open-pollinated seeds of 20 black spruce (Picea mariana) families were used to investigate the proportion of genotypes that would give rise to embryogenic tissue (ET) and mature somatic embryos. Eighty-five percent of the maternal genotypes gave rise to embryogenic tissue. Within-family rates of ET induction ranged from 0 to 17%, with an average of 8%. The largest proportion of variation was among families, indicating the additive nature of the genetic variation. On a medium with 6% sucrose and 3.7 μM ABA, 90% of the embryogenic lines gave rise to abundant (>100/100 mg of ET), well-formed, mature somatic embryos. A medium with 2% sucrose, without 2,4-D, was used to germinate the mature somatic embryos. These were grown in the greenhouse and have now been established in field trials.
authors.affiliation: Forestry Canada, Petawawa National Forestry Institute, P.O. Box 2000, KOJ 1JO, Chalk River, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Cheliak
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Klimaszewska