Method of determining conifer embryo maturity using sugar alcohol content

Abstract

The invention relates to the knowledge of sugar alcohols as indicators of biochemical maturity of pine zygotic and somatic embryos. It has been discovered that loblolly pine zygotic embryos have a progression of different sugar alcohols as they approach biochemical maturity. Pinitol is the first sugar alcohol to appear in abundance. This is followed by D-chiro-inositol, and finally by fagopyritol B1. As a later appearing alcohol becomes more abundant in the embryos, the earlier ones decrease in amount present. Analysis of the embryo sugar alcohols can be helpful in determining when to harvest cones from seed orchards. Further it can be used as a guideline for formulation of more effective culture media in the propagation of somatic embryos by tissue culture. There appears to be a requirement for fagopyritol B1 if good germination of somatic embryos is to be achieved.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.