Skip to main content

Abstract

Economic aspects of somatic embryogenesis (SE) will be examined from the perspective of commercializing SE products of several different species, with particular attention to spruce (Picea spp.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). These crops will be used as case studies for various aspects of the discussion, representing two distinct types of SE systems, both in terms of tissue culture requirements and end-use. Both of these species are receiving considerable attention in different laboratories worldwide. Analysis of these species are presented solely as examples from which economic inferences can be drawn when working with these or other crops.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

ABA:

abscisic acid

QA:

quality assurance

SE:

somatic embryogenesis

References

  • Aitken-Christie, J. (1990) Trends in Automation for Clonal Propagation by Tissue Culture. Proc. of the 4th Toyota Conference, 21–24 October, 1990, pp. 235–260.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amirato, P.V. (1983) Embryogenesis. In: D.A. Evans, et al. (eds.), Handbook of Plant Cell Culture,Volume 1, pp. 82–139. McMillan, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anandarajah, K. and McKersie, B.D. (1992) Germination and vigour of dry somatic embryos of Medicago sativa L. are induced by plant density, sucrose and light during development. Seed Sci. Res. 2: 133–140.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Attree, S.M. and Fowke, L.C. (1991) Micropropagation through somatic embryogenesis in conifers. In: Y.P.S. Bajaj (ed.), Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry: High-Tech and Micropropagation, Volume 17, pp. 53–70. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bewley, J.D. and Black, M. (1978) Physiology and Biochemistry of Seeds in Relation to Germination. I. Development, Germination and Growth. Spring-Verlag, New York, pp. 7–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, F.R. (1987) Apparatus for and Method of Cutting and/or Moving Plant Tissue. Twyford Plant Laboratories Ltd., GB, International Patent Publication — WO 88/04520, pp. 1–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, Z., Mei-juan, H., Xiao-mu, N., Xiu-qing, L. and Xiao-di, F. (1990) Fractional selection of somatic embryos in the production of carrot artificial seeds. Acta. Bot. Sinica 32(1): 871–877.

    Google Scholar 

  • Compton, M.E., Benton, CM., Gray, D.J. and Songstad, D.D. (1992) Plant recovery from maize somatic embryos subjected to controlled relative humidity dehydration. In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol. 28P: 197–201.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dibley, M. and Faulds, T. (1991) Production and costs of juvenile radiata pine cuttings. In: M.I. Menzies, et al. (eds.), Efficiency of Stand Establishment Operations, pp. 28–33. Forest Research Institute Bulletin 156, Rotorua.

    Google Scholar 

  • Donnan, A. (1986) Determining and minimizing production costs. In: R.H. Zimmerman, et al. (eds.), Tissue Culture as a Plant Production System for Horticultural Crops, pp. 167–173. Martinus Nijhoff Publ., Den Haag.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Dunstan, D.I. (1988) Prospects and progress in conifer biotechnology. Can. J. For. Res. 18: 1497–1506.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Durzan, D.J. and Gupta, P.K. (1988) Somatic embryogenesis and polyembryogenesis in conifers. In: Mizrahi, A. (ed.), Biotechnology in Agriculture, Alan R. Liss Inc., NY, pp. 53–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edmonds, T.K. and Cervelli, R.L. (1993) Process and Apparatus for Planting Plantlets. Silvagen Inc., Halifax, Canada, International patent application PCT/CA93/00084, pp. 1–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, D.D., McCabe, D.E., McInnis, S., Ramachandran, R., Russell, D.R., Wallace, K.M., Martinell, B.J., Roberts, D.R., Raffa, K.F. and McCown, B.H. (1993) Stable transformation of Picea glauca by particle acceleration. Bio/Technology 11: 84–89.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Florin, B., Tessereau, H., Lecouteux, C, Coutois, D. and Petiard, V. (1993) Long-term preservation of somatic embryos. In: K. Redenbaugh (ed.), Synseeds: Applications of Synthetic Seeds to Crop Improvement, pp. 133–162. CRC Press, Boca Raton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fujii, J.A., Slade, D., Aguirre-Rascon, J. and Redenbaugh, K. (1992) Field planting of alfalfa artificial seeds. In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol. 28P: 73–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gleed, J. A. (1990) Overcoming constraints to successful commercial production of tissue cultured Radiata pine, presented at the International Conifer Biotechnology Working Group meeting, Sittingbourne, UK, July, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gleed, J.A. (1992) Afforestation and management with cloned tissue cultured Radiata pine “plantlets”, Tasman Forestry Ltd., presented at the International Conifer Biotechnology Working Group Meeting, Raleigh, NC, April, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray, D.J. and Purohit, A. (1991) Somatic embryogenesis and development of synthetic seed technology. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences 10(1): 33–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray, D.J., Conger, B. and Songstad, D. (1987) Desiccated quiescent somatic embryos of orchard grass for use as synthetic seeds. In Vitro Cell. Devel. Biol. 23: 29–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hämäläinen, J.J., Kurtén, U. and Kauppinen, V. (1993) Classification of plant somatic embryos by computer vision. Biotech. and Bioeng. 41: 35–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harreil, R.C., Hood, CF., Moltó, E., Munilla, R., Bieniek, M. and Cantliffe, D.J. (1993) Machine vision based analysis and harvest of somatic embryos. Computers and Elec. in Agric. 9: 13–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hernandez-Fernandez, M.M. and Christie, B.R. (1989) Inheritance of somatic embryogenesis in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Genome 32: 318–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kartha, K.K., Fowke, L.C, Leung, N.L., Caswell, K.L. and Hakman, I. (1988) Induction of somatic embryos and plantlets from cryopreserved cell cultures of white spruce (Picea glauca). J. Plant Physiol. 132: 529–539.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keilly, G.A. and Bowley, S.R. (1992) Genetic control of somatic embryogenesis in alfalfa. Genome 35: 474–477.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kerr-Liddell, S.R. (1991) Commercial tissue culture in Europe. Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin 21: 203–206.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitto, S.L., Pill, W.G. and Molloy, D.M. (1991) Fluid drilling as a delivery system for somatic embryo-derived plantlets of carrot (Daucus carota L.). Scientia Horticulturae 47: 209–220.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kozai, T., Ting, K.C. and Aitken-Christie, J. (1991) Considerations for automation of micropropagation systems. Trans. of the ASAE 35: 503–517.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lai, F.M., Senaratna, T. and McKersie, B.D. (1992) Glutamine enhances storage protein accumulation in Medicago sativa L. somatic embryos. Plant Science 87:69–77.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Luisdorf, M.M., Tautorus, T.E., Kikcio, S.I. and Dunstan, D.I. (1992) Growth parameters of embryogenic suspension cultures of interior spruce (Picea glauca engelmannii complex) and black spruce (Picea mariana). Plant Science 82: 227–234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marsolais, A.A., Wilson, D.P.M., Tsujita, M.J. and Senaratna, T. (1991) Somatic embryogenesis and artificial seed production in zonal and regal geranium. Can. J. Bot. 69: 1188–1193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKersie, B.D. and Bowley, S.R. (1993) Synthetic seeds of alfalfa. In: K. Redenbaugh (ed.), Synseeds: Applications of Synthetic Seeds to Crop Improvement, pp. 231–256. CRC Press, Boca Raton.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKersie, B.D., Senaratna, T., Bowley, S.R., Brown, D.C.W., Krochko, J. and Bewley, J.D. (1989) Application of artificial seed technology in the production of hybrid alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). In Vitro Cell. Devel. Biol. 25: 1183–1188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Menzies, M.I. (1985) Vegetative propagation of radiata pine. Comb. Proc. Int. Plant Prop. Soc. 35: 383–389.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murashige, T. (1977) Plant cell and organ cultures as horticultural practices. Acta Hort. 78: 17–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, Y.S., Pond, S.E. and Bonga, J.M. (1993) Initiation of somatic embryogenesis in white spruce (Picea glauca): genetic control, culture treatment effects, and implications for tree breeding. Theor. Appl. Genet. 86: 427–436.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park, Y.S., Bonga, J.M., Fowler, D.P., Little, C.H.A., Loo-Dinkins, J.A., Simpson, J.D. and Smith, R.F. (1991) Forest genetics research at Forestry Canada Maritimes region. In: S. Magnussen et al. (eds.), Proc. of the Meeting of Can. Tree Improvement Assoc. Part 1: 42–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polsoni, L., Kott, L. and Beversdorf, W.D. (1988) Large-scale microscope culture technique for maturation selection studies in Brassica napus L., Can. J. Bot. 66: 1681–1685.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Preil, W., Florek, P., Wix, U. and Beck, A. (1988) Towards mass propagation by use of bioreactors. Acta Hort. 226: 99–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Proctor, J.T.A. and Bailey, W.G. (1987) Ginseng: industry, botany and culture. Horticultural Review 9: 188–236.

    Google Scholar 

  • Redenbaugh, K., Fujii, J.A. and Slade, D. (1991a) Synthetic seed technology. In: I.K. Vasil (ed.), Scale-Up and Automation in Plant Propagation Cell Culture and Somatic Cell Genetics of Plants, Volume 8, pp. 35–74. Academic Press, Inc., Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Publishers, Boston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Redenbaugh, K., Fujii, J., Slade, D., Viss, P. and Kissler, M. (1991b) III.3 Artificial seeds — encapsulated somatic embryos. Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry 17: 395–416.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Redenbaugh, K. and Walker, K. (1990) Role of artificial seeds in alfalfa breeding. In: S.S. Bhojwani (ed.), Developments in Crop Science 19, Plant Tissue Culture: Applications and Limitations, pp. 102–135. Elsevier, New York.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Redenbaugh, K., Slade, D., Viss, P. and Fujii, J.A. (1987) Encapsulation of somatic embryos in synthetic seed coats. HortScience 22(5): 803–809.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinert, J. (1958) Morphogenese und ihre Kontrolle an Gewebekulturen aus Karotten. Naturwissenschaften 45: 344–345.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rincker, CM., Marble, V.L., Brown, D.E. and Johansen, C.A. (1988) Seed production practices. In: A.A. Hansen et al. (eds.), Alfalfa and Alfalfa Improvement, pp. 259–308. Amer. Soc. Agron., Madison, WI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ritchie, G.A. (1991) The commercial use of conifer rooted cuttings in forestry: a world overview. New Forests 5: 247–275.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, D.R., Webster, F.B., Flinn, B.S., Lazaroff, W.R. and Cyr, D.R. (1993) Somatic embryogenesis of spruce. In: K. Redenbaugh (ed.), Synseeds: Applications of Synthetic Seeds to Crop Improvement, pp. 427–452. CRC Press, Boca Raton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, D.R., Sutton, B.C.S. and Flinn, B.S. (1989) Synchronous and high frequency germination of interior spruce somatic embryos following partial drying at high relative humidity. Can. J. Bot. 68: 1086–1090.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodriquez, D.L., Kitto, S.L. and Lomax, K.M. (1990) Mechanical purification of torpedo stage somatic embryos of Daucus carota L. Plant Cell Tiss. Org. Culture 23: 9–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saranga, Y. and Janick, J. (1991) Celery somatic embryo production and regeneration: improved protocols. HortScience 26(10): 1335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schultheis, J.R., Cantliffe, D.J. and Chee, R.P. (1990) Optimizing sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] root and plantlet formation by selection of proper embryo developmental stage and size, and gel type for fluidized sowing. Plant Cell Reports 9: 356–359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Senaratna, T. (1992) Artificial seeds. Biotechnology Adv. 10: 379–392.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Senaratna, T., McKersie, B.D. and Bowley, S.R. (1990) Artificial seeds of alfalfa. Induction of desiccation tolerance in somatic embryos. In Vitro Cell Devel. Biol. 26: 85–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Senaratna, T., McKersie, B.D. and Bowley, S.R. (1989) Desiccation tolerance of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) somatic embryos. Influence of abscisic acid, stress pretreatments and drying rates. Plant Science 65: 253–257.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma, N.K. (1992) Automation in plant tissue culture: problems and prospects. Current Science 62(7): 507–512.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shetty, K. and Asano, Y. (1991) Specific selection of embryogenic cell lines in Agrostis alba L. using proline analog thioproline. Plant Science 79: 259–263.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shetty, K. and McKersie, B.D. (1993) Proline, thioproline and potassium mediated stimulation of somatic embryogenesis in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Plant Science 88: 185–193.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, D.R. (1986) Radiata Pine (Pinus radiata D. Don). In: Y.P.S. Bajaj (ed.), Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry, Volume 1: Trees I, pp. 274–291. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steward, F.C., Mapes, M.O. and Mears, K. (1958) Growth and organized development of cultured cells. II. Organization of cultures grown from freely suspended cells. Am. J. Bot. 45: 705–708.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stuart, D.A., Strickland, S.G. and Walker, K.A. (1987) Bioreactor production of alfalfa somatic embryos. HortScience 22(5): 800–803.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tautorus, T.E., Luisdorf, M.M., Kikcio, S.L and Dunstan, D.I. (1992a) Bioreactor culture of black spruce (Picea mariana) and interior spruce (Picea glauca — engelmannii complex) somatic embryos. Abstracts: Sixth International Conifer Biotechnology Working Group Meeting, Raleigh, NC, April 23–28, 1992: Poster session abstr. num. 33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tautorus, T.E., Luisdorf, M.M., Kikcio, S.L and Dunstan, D.I. (1992b) Bioreactor culture of black spruce (Picea mariana) and interior spruce (Picea glauca — engelmannii complex) somatic embryos: growth parameters. Applied Microb. Biotech. 38(1): 46–51.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Webster, F.B., Roberts, D.R., McInnis, S.M. and Sutton, B.C.S. (1990) Propagation of interior spruce by somatic embryogenesis. Can. J. For. Res. 20: 1759–1765.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1995 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Cervelli, R., Senaratna, T. (1995). Economic aspects of somatic embryogenesis. In: Aitken-Christie, J., Kozai, T., Smith, M.A.L. (eds) Automation and environmental control in plant tissue culture. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-8461-6_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-8461-6_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-4405-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-015-8461-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics