Hardy Roses from Somatic Embryos - Field and Pot Growth Trials - Expand the Manitoba Nursery industry by the development of a new propagation technology for ornamental plants and roses.

General Information

Start date:

Project objectives:

To determine if the newest propagation technology - somatic embryogenesis - provides growers of hardy roses with an advantage or disadvantage compared to either tissue cultured plantlets or rooted cuttings.

Operational plan:

Researchers compared the performance of hardy roses propagated cia rooted cuttings, tissue culture and somatic embryogenesis in both container and field situations at the AAFC-Morden research Station. Plants were initially propagated in winter/spring 1999-00. The various stock types were planted in the spring of 2000 and growth and development were monitored for the rest of the growing season.

(Somatic Embryogenesis is an in vitro technique that proliferates undifferentiated cells that give rise to embyogenic tissue. This tissue has the potential to produce unlimited numbers of somatic embryos that can be handled in bulk.)

Results:

Growth differences amongst the different cultivars were significant but these were related to the general form of the cultivars. Differences within a cultivar and amongst the three different stock types were also significant. Differences in growth and development were small and regardless of the propagation methods used, growth and development met commercial standards. Somatic embyogenesis propagation has significant potential for commercial production given the rapid increase of plants using SE propagation. Further study is needed to compare disease reactions amongst the different stock types.

Financial Support:

Industry
MRAC	$25,000.00
Sister Councils	$0.00
Cash	$7,500.00
In-kind	$25,000.00
Provincial
Cash	$0.00
In-kind	$0.00
Federal
Cash	$0.00
In-kind	$18,000.00
TOTAL PROJECT COST
$75,500.00

Primary links

Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council