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Production of a new generation of seeds through the use of somatic clones in controlled crosses of black spruce (Picea mariana)

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Abstract

To assess the potential to integrate somatic clones (SC) of desired characteristics in production of high genetic quality seed, controlled crosses between different SCs of black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill) B.S.P.) were used to assess their suitability for the production of viable pollen, cones, seeds and seedlings. These SC produced male and female strobili at an early stage. Pollen, cones and seeds produced were characterized (mass, size, germination); their characteristics were similar to those produced by trees in natural forests or seed orchards. A maternal effect was demonstrated for the cone size and seed mass. Although seeds had excellent germination rates, the somatic biparental crosses were divided into three distinct groups with different germination curves using the Weibull function. Seeds from controlled crosses between different SC enabled the production of high morpho-physiological quality seedlings in a forest nursery. Using black spruce as a model, we showed, for the first time, that SC can be used as seed producers. These encouraging results open new perspectives on the tangible integration of somatic embryogenesis (SE) in the chain of seed, vegetative propagation (cuttings and SE) and production of plants for high productivity plantations. Controlled crosses can be made between SC with the desired characteristics (fewer large branches, fewer nodes, good growth, high wood density, performance, improved yield, etc.), vegetative propagules produced and deployed to clonal tests. After elimination of the worst performing SC, clonal tests can be converted into seed orchards that produce a new generation of seeds of high genetic quality. This will allow the rapid introduction of new materials in elite breeding programs of forest species.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Mr. Carol Parent at the Direction de la recherche forestière (DRF) of the Ministère des Ressources naturelles (MRN) for the pollinations, the extraction and qualification of seeds. Many thanks go to Ms. Louise L’Heureux, Mr. Patrick Lemay and Mr. Michel Houle at the DRF for the seedling treatment, as well as Ms. Linda Veilleux, Ms. Maripierre Jalbert and Ms. Brigitte Boudreault at the DRF for the photomontage. We also thank Dr. Hank Margolis, the associate editor and the two anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions. The authors thank the Saint-Modeste nursery (MRN) for the organization of work (Mr. Michel Rioux), pollen harvesting (Mr. Paul-Yvan Martin), and seedling production (Ms. Corine Rioux). Lastly, the authors thank Ms. Geneviève Picher and Ms. Jessica Bach from the DRF biometrics team for the statistical analyses and the DRF organic and inorganic chemistry laboratory staff for the mineral analyses of the substrates and seedlings produced during this experiment. This research work was completed as part of the 1120549-112310084 project funded by the DRF.

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  1. Direction de la recherche forestière, ministère des Ressources naturelles du Québec, 2700 rue Einstein, Québec, QC, G1P 3W8, Canada

    F. Colas & M. S. Lamhamedi

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  1. F. Colas
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Correspondence to F. Colas.

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Colas, F., Lamhamedi, M.S. Production of a new generation of seeds through the use of somatic clones in controlled crosses of black spruce (Picea mariana). New Forests 45, 1–20 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-013-9388-2

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