Development of in vitro propagation method of commercially valuable woody plants for indoor usage

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Plant nursery techniques have been developed intensely not only for food production, but also for gardening and indoor plants. The plant nursery business is booming with current high demand for indoor plants in homes, offices and public spaces. Currently, Canadians are importing many different plant species from all over the world and are propagating them to meet an ever increasing demand. According to Statistics Canada, in 2013 the Canadian Greenhouse Industry produced a combined 14,700,000 plants of Chrysanthemums and Kalanchoes (the two leading indoor flowering plants). Introduction of a new plant that will compete in the same marketplace as Chrysanthemum and Kalanchoe can breathe new life into the potted indoor plant market in Canada. Even at a mere 10% of the market of these plants, it would equal 1, 470,000 plants. In addition, importing seeds/seedlings continuously from other countries will have a significant risk for environmental contamination (microorganisms and unwanted foreign plant species) in addition to the cost associated with import and safety regulations. To seek cost-effective and sustainable ways to propagate commercially valuable plants in Canada, the Canadian plant nursery company, Valleyview Gardens has established a plant tissue culture facility for in vitro propagation. Recently they have succeeded in generating viable callus tissue of Michelia alba (White Sandalwood) which is a commercially important woody plant. The next step, the regeneration of whole seedling from this callus, is challenging and requires assistance from plant tissue culture specialists. The Yoshioka laboratory at the University of Toronto has extensive expertise in plant tissue culture and is fully-equipped with all infrastructure necessary for this challenge. Thus, we will collaborate for the regeneration of plants from the M. alba callus. The anticipated established method can be applied to other commercially important woody plants and this will provide a significant advantage to the Canadian plant nursery business as well as maintain Canadian environmental safety. The outcome is also scientifically important as it may advance woody plant tissue culture, which is currently difficult for many tree species.