Introduction

The trees of genus Nothofagus are very important in Chiles economy due the forestry interest by the great wood quality. Raul (Nothofagus alpina), Roble (N. obliqua) and Lenga (N. pumilio) are ones of the most representatives species for the chilean forest richness (Fig 1), located on the center and south of the country (Fig 2). The mostly of these trees

Methods used to micropropagate Nothofagus species

In Nothofagus species , direct organogenesis begins with portions of tissues, buds or node axillary sections obtained from young or adult plants (Fig 3 & 5). Also, the germination of isolated embryos in vitro is another

Conclusions & Future Prospects

Raul, Roble and Lenga are species that can be cultivated in vitro for long periods. The use of a pre-acclimatation system in the laboratory before transfer to a greenhouse reduced mortality by 6% increasing production. The best results can be obtained with rooting in darkness condition. Its posible to implement a program for clone production of Nothofagus plants and produce adult trees for commercial use and avoid the extinction of these species.

Fig. 4. Raul explants from embryos isolated after 21 days of culture in MS medium free of hormones. a) Multiple shoot proliferation; b) Spontaneous rooting

Fig. 1. Diversity of Nothofagus species in Chile.

are vulnerable and they are in extinction danger. Besides, the propagation by seeds is very low because the germination rates are under 50%. The micropropagation in vitro allows to have great multiplication rates in short periods of time.
Fig. 2. Chilean distribution of Nothofagus sp.

Fig. 3. Stages of the raul micropropagation process. A) initial explant: apical shoots, B) shoot multiplication; C) laboratory pre-acclimatation stage; D) plants to be transferred to the greenhouse; E) plants under plastic tunnel in greenhouse to mantain high humidity; F) plants after three monts in greenhouse.

References

good tool to micropropagate these species (Fig 4). The culture of these tissues could be made using different kinds of mediums: BTM: Broadleaved Tree Medium MS: Murashige and Skoog (modified) WPM: Woody Plant Medium (modified). Rooting was successful in darkness.

Sanchez-Olate M, Rios D, Pedraza M, Pereira G, Castellanos H, and R. Escobar. 2004. Propagacin in vitro de Nothofagus procera (( Poepp . et Endl .) Oerst .) a partir de embriones aislados. Bosque 25 (1):123128. Martinez Pastur G and Arena M. 1997. Micropropagacin de Nothofagus pumilio ( Poepp . et Endl.) Krasser. Bosque 18(2):4350. Sabja AM, Ortiz O, and Trivio C. 2008. AVANCES DE CLONACIN IN VITRO DE RBOLES ADULTOS DE RAUL (Nothofagus alpina Poepp. et Endl.) Oerst.) PARA PROPAGACION COMERCIAL. Agrociencia 42 (5):595603.

Fig. 5. Acclimatation of rooted juvenile explants of lenga (Nothofagus pumilio) on day 45.