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Aim of the study: To develop an efficient method to regenerate plants through somatic embryogenesis of an ecologically relevant tree species such as Pinus canariensis. Area of study: The study was conducted in the research laboratories of Neiker-Tecnalia (Arkaute, Spain). Material and methods: Green cones of Pinus canariensis from two collection dates were processed and the resulting immature zygotic embryos were cultured on three basal media. The initiated embryogenic tissues were proliferated testing two subculture frequencies, and the obtained embryogenic cell lines were subjected to maturation. Germination of the produced somatic embryos was conducted and acclimatization was carried out in a greenhouse under controlled conditions. Main results: Actively proliferating embryogenic cell lines were obtained and well-formed somatic embryos that successfully germinated were acclimatized in the greenhouse showing a proper growth. Research highlights: This is the first report on Pinus canariensis somatic embryogenesis, opening the way for a powerful biotechnological tool for both research purposes and massive vegetative propagation of this species.

Aim of the study: To develop an efficient method to regenerate plants through somatic embryogenesis of an ecologically relevant tree species such as Pinus canariensis. Area of study: The study was conducted in the research laboratories of Neiker-Tecnalia (Arkaute, Spain). Material and methods: Green cones of Pinus canariensis from two collection dates were processed and the resulting immature zygotic embryos were cultured on three basal media. The initiated embryogenic tissues were proliferated testing two subculture frequencies, and the obtained embryogenic cell lines were subjected to maturation. Germination of the produced somatic embryos was conducted and acclimatization was carried out in a greenhouse under controlled conditions. Main results: Actively proliferating embryogenic cell lines were obtained and well-formed somatic embryos that successfully germinated were acclimatized in the greenhouse showing a proper growth. Research highlights: This is the first report on Pinus canariensis somatic embryogenesis, opening the way for a powerful biotechnological tool for both research purposes and massive vegetative propagation of this species.

We tested the hypothesis that fertilized containerized Pinus canariensis seedlings increases survival when planted in semiarid sites through the improvement of their physiological status during the establishment phase by an increment in root growth. Seedlings were cultured under two different regimes traditional (in non-fertilized natural soil) and alternative (in fertilized peat). Morphological attributes and nitrogen content were measured before planting. Measurements of survival and growth in the plantation were made periodically for 2 years and physiological plant responses (leaf water potential, gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence) during the third summer after planting were tested and finally a set of plants were excavated to measure the same parameters as before planting. Seedlings cultivated using fertilized peat achieved the highest values for all of evaluated parameters. During the third dry season, big seedlings exhibited better physiological status. Therefore, enhanced root growth can result in better water uptake during the dry period thereby increasing survival and growth in the next few years after planting. A feed-back physiological model is proposed to explain P. canariensis establishment in a semiarid environment. © Springer-Verlag 2009.

The influence of 12 different culture methods (combining different containers, substrates and fertilization) on the quality of Pinus canariensis seedlings and their performance in the field was tested. After 8-month cultivation in the nursery, seedlings were outplanted to a dry site at Fasnia (Tenerife) in February 2002. Morphological and physiological attributes were measured prior to field establishment. Measures of survival and growth of the plantation were made periodically during 15 months. Seedling quality parameters measured in the laboratory were found to be correlated with seedling survival in the field, showing a highly significant effect of the cultivation method. Plants produced in fertilized artificial substrates (alternative method) showed a survival of 97 %, facing 66 % registered for seedlings produced in non-fertilized natural substrates (traditional method). The inicial seedling's height was the parameter more correlated with seedling survival in the field., Se estudió la influencia de 12 tratamientos de cultivo en vivero (combinando distintos contenedores, sustratos y fertilización) en la calidad de planta de Pinus canariensis y su respuesta en campo. Tras 8 meses de cultivo en vivero se llevó a cabo la plantación de los brinzales en una zona seca de Fasnia (Tenerife) en Febrero del 2002. Las plantas se caracterizaron antes de la salida del vivero mediante atributos morfológicos y fisiológicos y se realizó un seguimiento de la supervivencia y el crecimiento en altura de la plantación. Los parámetros de calidad evaluados en el laboratorio se relacionaron con la supervivencia de las plantas en campo, con un efecto altamente significativo del método de cultivo. Se registró una supervivencia del 97 % de las plantas producidas en sustrato artificial fertilizado (cultivo alternativo) frente a un 66 % de las producidas con tierra de monte sin fertilización (cultivo tradicional). La altura inicial de las plantas fue el parámetro que mejor se correlacionó con la supervivencia en el campo.

The influence of 12 different culture methods (combining different containers, substrates and fertilization) on the quality of Pinus canariensis seedlings and their performance in the field was tested. After 8-month cultivation in the nursery, seedlings were outplanted to a dry site at Fasnia (Tenerife) in February 2002. Morphological and physiological attributes were measured prior to field establishment. Measures of survival and growth of the plantation were made periodically during 15 months. Seedling quality parameters measured in the laboratory were found to be correlated with seedling survival in the field, showing a highly significant effect of the cultivation method. Plants produced in fertilized artificial substrates (alternative method) showed a survival of 97 %, facing 66 % registered for seedlings produced in non-fertilized natural substrates (traditional method). The inicial seedling's height was the parameter more correlated with seedling survival in the field., Se estudió la influencia de 12 tratamientos de cultivo en vivero (combinando distintos contenedores, sustratos y fertilización) en la calidad de planta de Pinus canariensis y su respuesta en campo. Tras 8 meses de cultivo en vivero se llevó a cabo la plantación de los brinzales en una zona seca de Fasnia (Tenerife) en Febrero del 2002. Las plantas se caracterizaron antes de la salida del vivero mediante atributos morfológicos y fisiológicos y se realizó un seguimiento de la supervivencia y el crecimiento en altura de la plantación. Los parámetros de calidad evaluados en el laboratorio se relacionaron con la supervivencia de las plantas en campo, con un efecto altamente significativo del método de cultivo. Se registró una supervivencia del 97 % de las plantas producidas en sustrato artificial fertilizado (cultivo alternativo) frente a un 66 % de las producidas con tierra de monte sin fertilización (cultivo tradicional). La altura inicial de las plantas fue el parámetro que mejor se correlacionó con la supervivencia en el campo.