Expected results
Quality and innovativeness
The consortium has long-standing R&D activities and cooperation in the field of conifer somatic embryogenesis. The quality and innovative, sometime breakthrough aspects of MULTIFOREVER is relying on:
  • Partners’ published and/or patented work recognized worldwide from fundamental to applied studies towards expertise in all aspects of somatic embryogenesis in conifers  including up-scaling and automation.
  • the development of an operative multinational plan supported by stakeholders for the design and implementation of the first pilot facility for EU-wide, cost-effective somatic embryo production (based on WP2 and WP4 up-scaling developments)
  • data collection from existing field trials of somatic trees and establishment of new ones (WP3). Field tests are highly valuable to both scientists/breeders (exploitation of data) and forest actors (exploitation of results). Currently, there are only a few trials available worldwide for conifers, some by partners of this project (FCBA, HUB, LUKE) for ca. 20 years.
  • international, multispecies joint efforts of leading experts to initiate somatic embryogenesis directly from vegetative explants of selected trees (WP1). The ability to directly propagate trees (without the need for seeds) would considerably shorten the timeframe for selection and deployment of new varieties in conifers.
Considering not only technological opportunities, but also the needs for raising both professional and public awareness and acceptance, significant efforts are planned (WP5) to promote multi-varietal forestry based on somatic embryogenesis through conventional (publications, surveys), online (webpage) and on-site (technical days) strategies.
communication
Public relation via Newsletters and Stakeholder-oriented articles:
Scientific publications:
Long term impact of our approach
Industrial, societal, environmental relevance

Forests and forest-wood sector are key players towards de-carbonation of the economy worldwide and mitigation of climate change. Plantation forestry with fast-growing, productive and more successful conifers (pines, larches, Douglas-fir, spruces …) is an essential component of a sustainable, bio-based economy in EU for the past 150 years. A similar trend is observed in Argentina concomitantly to the rapid conversion of natural forests into agricultural lands.

More effective, dynamic management of planted forests, especially intensively managed plantation forests is expected to:

  • increase production of renewable wood materials and fibers for traditional and novel applications
  • alleviate pressure on natural forests and semi-natural forests for wood production
  • allow for more forest areas for conservation purposes
  • reduce greenhouse gas emission (carbon sequestration in trees, wood and forest soil)
  • prevent greenhouse gas emission (using wood towards material and energy substitution)
  • increase the flexibility to adapt forests to climate change
  • provide many other ecosystem services at both local and landscaping levels
  •  maintain or even increase wood production in plantation forest while maintaining selected diversity levels
  • rescue and reproduce valuable tree species and varieties when only limited seed sources are available
  • help establish secured, static collections of the valuable genetic resources for use in the future as somatic embryogenesis is amenable to low-cost cryopreservation techniques

As there is a world surge in forest-wood product and high pressure on land availability due to both human activities and climate change, multi-varietal forestry based on somatic embryogenesis is a promising strategy to:

  • maintain or even increase wood production in plantation forest while maintaining selected diversity levels
  • rescue and reproduce valuable tree species and varieties when only limited seed sources are available
  • help establish secured, static collections of the valuable genetic resources for use in the future as somatic embryogenesis is amenable to low-cost cryopreservation techniques
  •  maintain or even increase wood production in plantation forest while maintaining selected diversity levels
  • rescue and reproduce valuable tree species and varieties when only limited seed sources are available
  • help establish secured, static collections of the valuable genetic resources for use in the future as somatic embryogenesis is amenable to low-cost cryopreservation techniques
Technological Advances to bring somatic embryos into the field
A bottleneck

Cotyledonary Somatic embryos of Douglas Fir

Cotyledonary Somatic embryos of Larix x eurolepis (hybrid larch) after 6 weeks of maturation on a filter


Germinated seedlings of Larix

Mature somatic embryos of conifer species have multiple cotyledons, a root pol and hypocotyl inbetween. Even though these embryos are clonally propagated, not all are developed correctly – are too crooked, have severly fused cotyledons or other aberations. For a successful germination embryos have to fulfil certain morphological criteria. Normally this manual labour step is very time consuming so technological solutions are developed to close the gap

The team at SLU, Sweden has developed a fluidic system und seperate embryos from the bulk and assess their morphological traits – to select the best for germination.