Genotype Dependent Blue and Red Light Inhibition of the Proliferation of the Embryogenic Tissue of Norway Spruce

The influence of light quality on the proliferation of embryogenic tissue of three genotypes of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst), with different capacities for mature somatic embryo production, was studied. The proliferating tissues were subjected to light from commercially available light sources: Philips TLD Warm White 36W/29, Philips TLD Blue 18W/18, Philips TLD Red 36W/15, Osram L Fluora 36W/77 and Sylvania Far Red 7080, for 18 h a day with the photon flux (PAR) at$30 \mu mol m^{-2} s^{-1}$. The effect of light quality on the growth of embryogenic tissue was strongly genotype dependent. In genotype 164-4 tissue proliferation was strongly inhibited by blue and red light. Genotype 86:52 reacted in a similar way, but not as strongly as 164-4, whereas the tissue of genotype 186-3 was almost insensitive to light quality and grew fast in all light conditions.