© 1986 Heron Publishing—Victoria, Canada
Tissue culture and the propagation and genetic improvement of conifers: problems and possibilities
Graeme P. Berlyn (1), Richard C. Beck (1) and Michael H. Renfroe (2)
1. Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, New Haven, CT 06511, USA / 2. Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, USA / Received April 6, 1986
Summary
The utilization of tissue culture in the propagation and genetic improvement of conifers holds promise of many benefits including
faster multiplication of selected genotypes, faster development of improved genotypes and the transfer of genes between non-fertile
parents. However, many of the techniques required for the realization of this potential remain to be developed. Furthermore,
genetic differentiation of cells in culture creates uncertainty as to the fidelity of reproduction by micropropagation. Aspects
of the problem of nuclear DNA variation during reproduction by tissue culture are reviewed with particular reference to the
genus Pinus.
