Formamide deionized accelerates the somatic embryogenesis of Cunninghamia lanceolata

Aim of the study: To improve the efficiency of the somatic embryogenesis (SE) in Cunninghamia lanceolata. Area of the study: The study was conducted at Nanjing Forestry University (Nanjing, China). Material and methods: Immature cones of C. lanceolata, genotype 01A1 which was planted in Yangkou State-owned Forest Farm (Fujian, China), were used to induced callus. These calli were used to induce SE, concentration gradients of 0 g/L, 0.01134 g/L, 0.1134 g/L, 1.1134 g/L and 11.34 g/L of FD was added, to explore the optimal concentration for promoting SE of C. lanceolata. Main results: Low concentration of FD promoted the maturation of somatic embryos, while high concentration of FD lead to browning of embryogenic callus. The seedling rate and rooting number of seedlings induced by different concentrations of FD were significantly different. Research highlights: This study may aid in the rapid maturation of C. lanceolata somatic embryos and is useful for accelerated C. lanceolata breeding.