Scientists at Rothamsted Research have used a fast and easily achieved method for multiplying a wide range of willows. The method, a form of micro-propagation, produced more plants which were free of disease, in a shorter time, with less labour compared to traditional willow breeding methods.
The disease-free plants were exported to, and grown in, Canada; a country, like many others, where the risk of the spread of willow borne diseases often causes a ban on importation. The research, which was strategically-funded by the BBSRC, is published today in the Canadian Journal of Forest Research.
The micro-propagation method used by the scientists, allowed for rapid, lab-based, multiplication and establishment of individual willow clones. The clones were, specially cultured from sterilised plant bud tissue taken from a single willow tree.
A simple, single growth medium, supplemented with a plant hormone, was used to successfully culture the cuttings. Taken from the lab, the tissue-culture plants were then successfully grown in the field.
Rothamsted Research: A fast and easily achieved method for propagating disease-free willow
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