Abstract: A process of priming mature, imbibed, germinated somatic embryos of a conifer species. The process comprises fully immersing mature, imbibed, germinated somatic conifer embryos in a sterile liquid nutrient medium, bubbling an oxygen-containing gas through the liquid nutrient medium containing the germinants to form an aerated embryo-containing nutrient medium, optionally exposing the aerated germinant-containing nutrient medium to light, at least intermittently, continuing the immersion, bubbling and optional exposure to light for a period of time effective to produce at least some successfully primed conifer germinants that are adapted for subsequent planting and conversion to viable seedlings, and removing the successfully primed conifer germinants from the nutrient medium.

Abstract: The invention provides a nutrient medium useful for sowing a somatic plant embryo or germinant of conifer species, which comprises particles of a solid component present within a flowable or semi-solid component containing water and a carbohydrate nutrient for the embryos or germinants. The nutrient medium has a fluidity such that at least some of the flowable or semi-solid component containing the carbohydrate nutrient remains in contact with the embryos or germinant at least until the embryo or germinant establishes vigorous growth under environmental conditions effective for such growth. The particles of the solid component are adapted to remain in contact with the embryo or germinant after of the flowable or semi-solid material dissipates, thereby providing continuing physical support for the embryo or germinant after the dissipation.

Abstract: A method of sowing a somatic plant embryo or germinant of a conifer species to facilitate subsequent development of the embryo or germinant into an autotrophic seedling. The method involves the following steps carried out ex vitro in non-sterile conditions: providing a nutrient medium comprising particles of a solid component present within a flowable or semi-solid component containing water and a carbohydrate nutrient for the embryo or germinant, dispensing a quantity of the nutrient medium onto a surface of a porous solid growth substrate for the somatic plant embryo or germinant, to and contacting the plant embryo or germinant with the nutrient medium. The nutrient medium has a fluidity such that at least some of the flowable or semi-solid component containing the carbohydrate nutrient remains in contact with the embryo or germinant at least until the embryo or germinant establishes vigorous growth under environmental conditions effective for such growth.

Abstract: A method of sowing a somatic plant embryo or germinant of a conifer species to facilitate subsequent development of the embryo or germinant into an autotrophic seedling. The method involves the following steps carried out ex vitro in non-sterile conditions: providing a nutrient medium comprising particles of a solid component present within a flowable or semi-solid component containing water and a carbohydrate nutrient for the embryo or germinant, dispensing a quantity of the nutrient medium onto a surface of a porous solid growth substrate for the somatic plant embryo or germinant, and contacting the plant embryo or germinant with the nutrient medium. The nutrient medium has a fluidity such that at least some of the flowable or semi-solid component containing the carbohydrate nutrient remains in contact with the embryo or germinant at least until the embryo or germinant establishes vigorous growth under environmental conditions effective for such growth.

Abstract: A process of priming mature, imbibed, germinated somatic embryos of a conifer species. The process comprises fully immersing mature, imbibed, germinated somatic conifer embryos in a sterile liquid nutrient medium, bubbling an oxygen-containing gas through the liquid nutrient medium containing the germinants to form an aerated embryo-containing nutrient medium, optionally exposing the aerated germinant-containing nutrient medium to light, at least intermittently, continuing the immersion, bubbling and optional exposure to light for a period of time effective to produce at least some successfully primed conifer germinants that are adapted for subsequent planting and conversion to viable seedlings, and removing the successfully primed conifer germinants from the nutrient medium.

Abstract: A method of sowing a somatic plant embryo or germinant of a conifer species to facilitate subsequent development of the embryo or germinant into an autotrophic seedling. The method involves the following steps carried out ex vitro in non-sterile conditions: providing a nutrient medium comprising particles of a solid component present within a flowable or semi-solid component containing water and a carbohydrate nutrient for the embryo or germinant, dispensing a quantity of the nutrient medium onto a surface of a porous solid growth substrate for the somatic plant embryo or germinant, and contacting the plant embryo or germinant with the nutrient medium. The nutrient medium has a fluidity such that at least some of the flowable or semi-solid component containing the carbohydrate nutrient remains in contact with the embryo or germinant at least until the embryo or germinant establishes vigorous growth under environmental conditions effective for such growth.

Abstract: A multi-step process by which plant somatic embryos can be sown and germinated ex vitro using conventional seeding equipment, growing mixes, and plant propagation environments. The process most preferably comprises the steps of: placing a somatic embryo on or within a three-phase substrate, the phases comprising solid, liquid and gas phases, placing the substrate containing a somatic embryo into an environmentally-controlled plant-growing environment in which at least one environmental factor (i.e.

Abstract: A method of sowing a somatic plant embryo or germinant of a conifer species to facilitate subsequent development of the embryo or germinant into an autotrophic seedling. The method involves the following steps carried out ex vitro in non-sterile conditions: providing a nutrient medium comprising particles of a solid component present within a flowable or semi-solid component containing water and a carbohydrate nutrient for the embryo or germinant, dispensing a quantity of the nutrient medium onto a surface of a porous solid growth substrate for the somatic plant embryo or germinant, and contacting the plant embryo or germinant with the nutrient medium. The nutrient medium has a fluidity such that at least some of the flowable or semi-solid component containing the carbohydrate nutrient remains in contact with the embryo or germinant at least until the embryo or germinant establishes vigorous growth under environmental conditions effective for such growth.

Abstract: A process of nutripriming plant somatic embryos prior to sowing, comprising contacting an imbibed plant somatic embryo with a solution containing one or more dissolved nutrients, preferably including sucrose as one of the nutrients. The invention includes germinated embryos produced by the process, and a method of producing seedlings or full-grown plants incorporating the nutripriming step. The method preferably makes use of a growth medium containing the nutrient or nutrients used in the nutripriming step.

Abstract: A multi-step process by which plant somatic embryos can be sown and germinated ex vitro using conventional seeding equipment, growing mixes, and plant propagation environments. The process most preferably comprises the steps of: placing a somatic embryo on or within a three-phase substrate, the phases comprising solid, liquid and gas phases, placing the substrate containing a somatic embryo into an environmentally-controlled plant-growing environment in which at least one environmental factor (i.e.

Abstract: A multi-step process by which plant somatic embryos can be sown and germinated ex vitro using conventional seeding equipment, growing mixes, and plant propagation environments. The process most preferably comprises the steps of: placing a somatic embryo on or within a three-phase substrate, the phases comprising solid, liquid and gas phases, placing the substrate containing a somatic embryo into an environmentally-controlled plant-growing environment in which at least one environmental factor (i.e.

Abstract: A process of producing somatic seedlings from a somatic embryo. The process comprising pre-germinating somatic embryos, placing the pre-germinated somatic embryos into a state of physiological dormancy, sowing the pre-germinated physiologically dormant somatic embryos onto or into germination media, and propagating the sown pre-germinated somatic embryos in environmental conditions manipulated to facilitate imbibition, germination, and development into complete seedlings possessing shoots and roots. Advantageously, the process may be carried out with “naked” embryos (i.e., non-encapsulated or otherwise coated embryos) using conventional seed handling equipment, growing mixes, and plant propagation environments. The process does not require the use of aseptic techniques or sterilized media or equipment. The invention also relates to pre-germinated embryos and seedlings produced by the process.

Abstract: A process of producing somatic seedlings from a somatic embryo. The process comprising pre-germinating somatic embryos, placing the pre-germinated somatic embryos into a state of physiological dormancy, sowing the pre-germinated physiologically dormant somatic embryos onto or into germination media, and propagating the sown pre-germinated somatic embryos in environmental conditions manipulated to facilitate imbibition, germination, and development into complete seedlings possessing shoots and roots. Advantageously, the process may be carried out with “naked” embryos (i.e., non-encapsulated or otherwise coated embryos) using conventional seed handling equipment, growing mixes, and plant propagation environments. The process does not require the use of aseptic techniques or sterilized media or equipment. The invention also relates to pre-germinated embryos and seedlings produced by the process.