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| Mass micro-propagation of trees for afforestation projects | |
| A new technique has been developed by ARS scientists (Agricultural Research Service) at the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Peoria, Illinois, for the mass micro-propagation of tree species for use in afforestation. Some forestry managers prefer tissue culture plantlets over fertilized seed because they are genetically identical and requirements at planting and resulting harvest yields are predictable. Scientist Brent Tisserat has developed a system whereby shoots are micro-propagated in large growth chambers. The system has been called APCS (automated plant culture system). Shoot cultures are periodically immersed in the growth media that in his experiments resulted in a 10-fold increase in the yield of shoots compared to standard methods and a 14-fold increase in their fresh weight. By pumping ultra-high levels of CO2 into the chamber the survival rate of the tissue cultured shoots increased by 94 percent. After transplantation to soil the tissue cultured shoots readily take root and fully develop into plantlets that can be transferred to the field. While high start up costs of the APCS system may limit its use to large scale operations, reafforestation projects by US wood produce companies in 1999 totalled 1.1 million hectares. The APCS system effectively overcomes the traditional problem of poor survival of cultured shoots after transplanting to soil. Further information “Agricultural Research” magazine (December 2004 edition) www.ars.usda.org |
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