What are the advantages of cloning conifers using somatic embryogenesis compared to other cloning techniques?
One of the most commonly used cloning techniques in conifers is rooting of cuttings. This technique, however, only works with juvenile material. For example, in spruce species, true-to-type cloning by rooting of cuttings can be accomplished up to about five years of age. Forest trees are long-lived organisms and genetic testing in the field, designed to identify genetically superior trees, takes a long time. Thus, by the time a field test identifies the trees of interest, these trees are no longer young enough to clone by rooting cuttings. Furthermore, in northern pines it is very difficult to propagate plants by this method even if the donor plants are young.
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