A new, effective method for obtaining common ash cuttings

The natural range of the common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) covers most of Europe, as well as Western Asia. The properties of wood such as elasticity, hardness, and impact resistance make it is used widely in many different industries. In Poland, common ash is found in almost the entire country, except the highest floors of the mountains. It is an important component of several natural habitats. Since the mid-1990 in Europe countries we have observed dieback of this species, caused by the ascomycete Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. This phenomenon threatening the existence of F. excelsior over our continent. A wide range and variety of purposes of common ash wood cause that dieback of this species is an enormous problem, not only ecological but also economic. Given the above, solutions for renewal and preservation should be developed. One way to protect and regenerate common ash is to obtain seedlings in vitro. Currently, the method of somatic embryogenesis can be used for this purpose. In this method, the embryogenic callus is inducted with somatic embryos at all stages of embryo development, i.e., globular, heart, torpedo, and cotyledonous stages. Ultimately, the somatic embryo can be used to regenerate the entire plant. However, the method of somatic embryogenesis is characterized by high cost and commonly observed genetic instability of callus cells. Therefore, the development of a new, more effective method is desirable.

The subjest of this offer is a technology for obtaining common ash seedlings by indirect adventitious organogenesis. This method omits the stage of forming and development of the somatic embryo, and thus significantly reduces the number of passages and expensive components of culture media. Plant regeneration occurs directly from callus tissue, which results not only in lower costs of seedling production but also, what is very important, improved genetic stability compared with micro-propagation by the method of somatic embryogenesis. Besides, the developed method allows obtaining calluses with selected genotypes, e.g. resistant to negative abiotic or biotic factors (including pathogenic fungi). The obtained seedlings have genotypes identical to the callus genotype and therefore are also resistant to harmful biotic and abiotic environmental conditions.

Advantages of the technology:

-obtaining genetically stable cuttings;

- obtaining seedlings with selected genotypes, e.g. pathogen-resistant;

- simpler and less time-consuming method compared to currently used methods;

- lower costs of obtaining seedlings compared to currently used methods.

Current development status

Commercially available technologies

Finished technologies

Applications

Gardening, nursery forestry

Desired business relationship

Technology selling

Patent licensing