Using Somatic Embryogenesis and Cryopreservation to Generate and Preserve New Balsam Fir Lines

Christmas tree growers in Nova Scotia are experiencing high demand for trees along with increasing pressure to adapt to changing climate conditions. Trees well-suited to local climates showing preferred traits like enhanced needle retention, needle length/colour and later flushing dates is required. Testing and production of these trees requires cloning new lines and somatic embryogenesis (SE) is the key improvement tool with the most promising method. After seeds have gone through initiation and SE proliferation, embryos need to be matured and germinated in tissue culture (TC) to produce seedlings for evaluation. Protocols for maturation and germination in TC of Balsam fir are rudimentary and require optimization. In addition, healthy SE that has been proliferating in TC can begin to degenerate, causing a decline in embryo quality and yield. Stocks of healthy callus must be cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen a few months after being initiated from seed for future seedling production. The reliability, sustainability and success of the cryopreservation protocol needs to be optimized by modernizing the equipment (i.e. the rate-controlled freezer purchased by CTCNS) and therefore also the protocol used. Ultimately the initiation, proliferation, maturation, germination and cryopreservation of new SE lines directly benefits CTCNS in their efforts to perform mass clonal propagation of new Balsam fir genetic lines and seedlings. It will increase field testing of SE seedlings and identify new trees to maximize production and meet demand for live Christmas trees while allowing a quick turnaround time in growing trees with preferred traits in response to changing climate.

Faculty Supervisor:

Zoë Migicovsky

Student:

Partner:

Christmas Tree Council of Nova Scotia

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Acadia University

Program: