Our current Research Topics and Approaches

Our Work packages

Work Package 1 - "The Holy Grail"

How can any desirable conifer tree be multiplied?

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Work Package 2 - “Streamline the process!”

Approaches to improve the current system of somatic embryogenesis

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Work Package 3 - “It’s the mix that matters!"

Exchange of somatic trees across Europe and set-up of field trials

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Work Package 4 - “Who will make the big bucks?”

Towards technology transfer

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Work Package 5 - "You just don’t know it yet!"

Communication on different levels and audiences: with stakeholders, the public, scientists …

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Work Package 6 – "Together we are stronger!"

Internal project organization (management & monitoring). Forging a tight cooperation within the MULTIFOREVER consortium to achive maximum impact

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Using Somatic eMBRYOGENESIS...

Although conifer somatic embryogenesis has been studied for more than 30 years (since 1985), the theory behind is still poorly understood and based on complex pathways hindering practical implications. One main current drawback is that somatic embryos typically can only be obtained from juvenile propagules of unknown performance such as zygotic embryos from seeds. Somatic embryogenesis cannot routinely be achieved from vegetative tissue of tested, mature trees, although some efforts are encouraging in pine and spruce. Somatic embryos from seeds are appropriate for the bulk propagation of untested varieties from elite families; but for multi-varietal forestry based on tested varieties, somatic embryogenesis must be coupled with cryopreservation to preserve the juvenility of embryogenic lines, while corresponding varieties are field-tested. After evaluation of tree performance (a long process, typically 10-15 years), selected varieties can be a posteriori and true-to-type propagated from the cryostock. Additional challenges for somatic embryo  initiation from zygotic embryos arise and include low genotype capture, sub-optimal quality and yield in embryos and plants as well as laborious handling at different steps resulting in high costs of somatic trees compared to standard seedlings.

... to enable multi-varietal forestry

In our approach of multi-varietal forestry applied to conifers, selected varieties for desirable traits are multiplied by somatic embryogenesis and the resulting plants combined in varietal mixtures for deployment. Such mixtures are selected based on environmental adaptability, pest resistance and productivity demands, and can be used and renewed with great flexibility, in accordance with current and anticipated environmental and socio-economic changes in EU and Argentina. By developing this strategy, MULTIFOREVER is intending to:

  • Provide easy management in plantation forests of the genetic diversity and genotypic diversity that are required at the stand or landscape levels to meet societal expectation and national/EU regulations. Genetic diversity in varietal mixtures can be made equal or greater than in natural populations.

  • Value powerful (predictive) early selection strategies that are under way for several conifer species i.e. genomic selection and phenomic selection. Early selection coupled with multi-varietal forestry would eliminate the time required for producing seeds and notably increase the genetic gain per unit time, an absolute need for breeding long-lived forest species.
  • Produce new biological data and concepts for up-scaling and automation to enable large-scale, industrial applications of somatic embryogenesis in plantation forestry.
The new knowledge generated by MULTIFOREVER for multi-varietal forestry issues would also be useful for enlarging landscaping business. In growing city areas, green trees adapted to these specific conditions are highly needed and known to affect positively for human well-being. By combining our team’s resources and expertise from long-term research efforts on different conifer species, we intend to reach readiness for industrial plant production that will be the target for a joint follow up effort.