Somatic Embryogenesis of Quercus suber L. From Immature Zygotic Embryos

Abstract

Quercus suber L., cork oak, is a forest tree of high social and economic value. The cork is traditionally used in the wine industry to produce bottle stoppers, but it is also a very good material for both thermal and acoustic insulation in construction. Since its harvest does not harm the tree, the use of cork in the industry has a positive impact on the environment. Somatic embryogenesis is considered a feasible system for in vitro regeneration procedures, with many advantages in woody species. Classical genetic breeding programs have important limitations in forest trees, like cork oak, due to their long life span and difficulties of seed conservation and vegetative reproduction. Therefore, somatic embryogenesis has a great potential for large-scale propagation and cryopreservation of elite genotypes, as well as for transformation strategies. In the case of Q. suber, several in vitro propagation systems through somatic embryogenesis have been reported, with different efficiency rates. In the present chapter, updated information is reported about an efficient protocol for induction of somatic embryogenesis of Q. suber from immature zygotic embryos, as well as methods for proliferation and maturation of somatic embryos, germination, plantlet regeneration, and acclimatization.