Somaclonal Variation in Conifers

Conifers are a diverse and important group of seed-bearing gymnosperm plants that include commercially valuable species, such as cedars, firs, cypresses, junipers, pines, and redwoods, to name a few important constituents. By studying diverse facets of conifer tissue culture, our understanding of the key factors responsible for enhancing the quality and quantity of production might potentially be elucidated in this group. Furthermore, this can prevent unnoticed and unwanted variations in regenerated offspring. The plant tissue culture procedure, the composition of the culture media, the type and origin of explants, or the number of subculture passages, may all contribute to in vitro-induced variation in conifers. While most somaclonal variation will likely not be useful in terms of being applicable to conifer breeding purposes, it is also possible that there may be as-of-yet undiscovered changes that may be useful for conifer breeding. This will necessitate a combination of phenotypical analyses, molecular marker expression, cytogenetic surveys, hypo/hypermethylation assessments, acetylation percentage assessments, and a general consideration of the involved processes, which together may help to control the frequency of tissue culture-induced variation.