Canadian Forest Service Publications

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Abstract

This paper reviews the status in Canada of tree germplasm preservation using biotechnolgoy. The preservation techniques described here are for storage of elite tree tissue cultures that are part of improvement programs, of tree tissue cultures of unique genotypes, and of endangered species. Until now, the emphasis of tissue culture preservation techniques was on tree improvement; there is, however, an increased interest in using these techniques to preserve endangered species. Subculturing, slow growth, artificial seed manufacture, cryopreservation and vitrification are covered as methods of tissue culture preservation. The two commonest methods are subculturing and cryopreservation. More research is required to insure that the other methods are widely applicable and that cryopreservation becomes less costly.