Growth Changes In Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda L.) Cell Cultures In Response To Drought Stress
Two in vitro systems; callus proliferation from (1) cotyledons and (2) pre-existing callus, were used to evaluate growth responses to low tissue water potential among two loblolly pine sources including 6 families. Both systems showed significant differences in growth response to low tissue water potential between sources from Louisiana and Texas. Both systems also showed significant differences between a fast-growing family from Louisiana (A-1-14) and a slow growing family from Texas (GR1-8). Louisiana sources sustained more growth under in vitro drought stress than did Texas sources. The minimum tissue water potential below which callus growth was halted was -1.0 MPa. These preliminary results suggest that in vitro drought stress techniques may have applicability for predicting growth potential in the field under stressed and nonstressed conditions and investigating drought tolerance mechanisms which appear to be distinct and separate from drought avoidance mechanisms. Additional research is in progress to confirm these results.
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Author(s): Ronald J. Newton, S. Sen, J. P. van Buijtenen
Publication: Tree Improvement and Genetics - Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference - 1985