Biotechnology touches the forest

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Bio/Technology; (United States)

OSTI ID:5686309

Powledge, J M

Both the United States and New Zealand are doing research in forest biotechnology and much of the interest is in speedy propagation from seed to mature tree. A number of propagation techniques are discussed, such as tissue culture, the culture of tissue from mature trees and somatic embryo genesis. Much of the tissue culture work has been done on radiata pine. Field testing results are considered. The aims and the advantages of forest biotechnology are discussed under the following headings. 1) Disease resistance: research is being carried out on a loblolly pine which would be resistant to fusiform rust. 2) Animal feed: some trees have been discovered to have lower lignin content and similar cellulose and hemicellulose to alfalfa. 3) Specialty chemicals: terpenes, in the tree resin, could be turned into hormones, drugs and other chemicals: the genetic system for the overall biosynthesis of terpenes has been studied. 4) Herbicide resistance. The resistance to glyphosate in poplars is being studied. In conclusion, further research into forest species, using molecular biology is considered essential.

• OSTI ID: 5686309
• Journal Information: Bio/Technology; (United States), Journal Name: Bio/Technology; (United States) Vol. 2:9; ISSN BTCHD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ALFALFA
ANIMAL FEEDS
AUSTRALASIA
BIOMASS PLANTATIONS
BIOSYNTHESIS
CARBOHYDRATES
CHEMICAL FEEDSTOCKS
CONIFERS
DISEASE RESISTANCE
FIELD TESTS
FOOD
FORESTS
GENETIC ENGINEERING
HERBICIDES
LEGUMINOSAE
LIGNIN
NEW ZEALAND
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PESTICIDES
PINES
PLANT BREEDING
PLANT DISEASES
PLANTS
POLYSACCHARIDES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SACCHARIDES
SYNTHESIS
TERPENES
TESTING
TISSUE CULTURES
TREES
USA