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Technology Development
CellFor has been engaged in the development and evaluation of Somatic embryogenesis A process of initiation and development of somatic embryos in vitro from somatic cells and tissues. |
technology since the mid-1980's. In 1989, we carried out the first evaluation of somatic seedlings in standard forestry nursery conditions. Approximately 1,200 seedlings were produced from 70 Lines When used in the context of plant propagation, the term refers to a collection of plants produced asexually either from a single plant or part of a plant. They have the exact same genetic make-up. |
derived from 5 families of interior spruce. This evaluation demonstrated that the technology could be used to develop and test improved seed lines from elite families from a tree improvement program (Webster et al 1990). From 1990-1992, we carried out in-depth evaluation of somatic seedlings during nursery development, prior to field planting, and during two years of establishment and growth in the field. These studies demonstrated that the developmental and physiological responses of somatic seedlings were normal, and that the growth increments of these seedlings were identical to control seedlings from the same families after two years of field growth (Grossnickle et al, 1990 - 1992). Other studies were conducted to assess the genetic stability of Somatic Embryos A plant embryo formed in vitro from vegetative (somatic) cells by mitotic division of cells.
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in culture, demonstrating random genetic changes within the embryos (so-called somaclonal variation) could not be detected at levels above normal rates (Eastmann et al, 1990). Most importantly, the characteristics of seedlings produced from the same lines were consistent from year to year. Various improvements in embryo quality and embryo production have been made over the past 15 years. A more detailed summary of CellFor's work in this regard is provided in the Somatic Embryogenesis section. Seed Development and Testing Programs
CellFor scientists have been managing seed development and testing programs since 1992. The initial work was conducted with spruce at B.C. Research, Inc. under contract with the B.C. Ministry of Forests and the National Research Council of Canada. This program resulted in over 1,400 lines being planted in the interior of British Columbia for testing on a number of sites using top ranked families. This work showed that all families could produce embryogenic lines and somatic seedlings. Based on this success, CellFor entered into a variety of projects with other Conifer A cone-bearing vascular plant belonging to the order �Coniferales� which is a sub-class of the botanical group �Gymnospermae�. Conifers used in forestry and reforestation include various species of pines, spruces, cedars, firs, hemlocks and cypress. Conifers produce commercial �softwood�. |
species to conduct product development and testing around the world with customers in the forest industry. The table below summarizes the results of these projects. Table: Summary of CellFor Seed Testing programs
| SPECIES | TEST REGIONS | AGE OF OLDEST
TEST SERIES | CROSSES | VARIETIES IN
CRYOGENIC STORAGE | VARIETIES IN
FIELD TESTS 2007 | VARIETIES IN
FIELD TESTS BY 2010 | | Pines (Loblolly pine, slash pine, radiata pine, patula pine) | USA, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa | 8 years | 260 | 14,100 | 4,100 | 6,300 | | Other species (interior spruce, Sitka spruce, Douglas fir) | Canada | 14 years | 120 | 2,500 | 1,700 | 1,700 | | TOTALS: | 380 | 16,600 | 5,800 | 8,000 |
Mass Production
CellFor began mass production trials in 1996 with interior spruce. By 1999, approximately 1 million somatic seedlings had been produced. In year 2000, deliveries of all species totaled 1.8 million seedlings including spruce, loblolly pine and Douglas fir. By 2003, we will have planted approx. 8 million somatic seedlings worldwide. CellFor's focus is now on the most highly productive conifer species: loblolly pine, radiata pine, Douglas fir and Slash pine.
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