Methods for storing conifer somatic embryo germinants
In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of storing conifer somatic embryo germinants germinated oil a sterile germination medium for delayed transplanting into a growth medium. The methods of the invention comprise the steps of: (a) placing the germinants while still on sterile germination medium into a cold environment in which the temperature is in the range of 0.5° C. to 10° C. for a time period up to six months, said germinants comprising a visible, well-defined epicotyl and radical; and (b) placing the germinants in water for a time greater than about 1 hour at a temperature below about 24° C. prior to transplantation into growth medium.
1 . A method of producing and storing germinants prior to transplantation into growth medium, comprising the steps of:
(a) culturing conifer somatic embryos on sterile germination medium for a sufficient period of time to produce germinants, said germinants comprising a visible, well-defined epicotyl and radical;
(b) placing the germinants while still on sterile germination medium into a cold environment in which the temperature is in the range of 0.5° C. to 10° C. for a time period up to six months, and
(c) placing the germinants in water at a temperature below about 24° C. for a time greater than about one hour prior to planting the stored germinants into growth medium.
1 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of planting the germinants into growth medium for further growth.
2 . The method of claim 1 in which the germinants are Douglas-fir.
3 . The method of claim 1 in which the germinants are loblolly pine.