Integration of biotechnology, robot technology and visualisation technology for development of methods for automated mass production of elite trees

Abstract

Clonal propagation of elite trees by somatic embryogenesis can shorten periods needed for breeding of trees, and can ensure a stable production of high quality plants for the forestry sector. It will furthermore allow for relative fast market oriented breeding and the production of trees ‘fit for purpose’ and guarantee a consumer oriented and tailor made wood supply. However, commercial application of the technology has until now been hampered by two essential problems: 1) the production costs per plant must be reduced, 2) improved methods must be developed for transfer and acclimatisation of plants from sterile in vitro conditions to non sterile (ex vitro/in vivo) conditions in the nursery. To solve these problems, a Danish based project has been established to combine clonal propagation by somatic embryogenesis (SE) with biotechnological breeding tools, and with robot – and visualisation technologies. The present project takes advantage of effective methods developed at the University of Copenhagen for SE in nordmanns fir and sitka spruce. These methods are used as a model system for development of biotechnological breeding tools in combination with automated plant production of plants for the forestry industry.