Successful breeding of pine species containing cancer treatment

By tissue implant method, scientists of the Institute of Biotechnology and Food, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry have successfully propagated red pine.

The group has created seedlings with roots. Dam Sao Mai said that the natural propagation rate of red pine is very low, only about 0.1% because the tree has fruit but no seeds.

If multiplication by the method of branching, the trees are horizontal, many branches, no content of Taxol, a precious substance to produce cancer medicine. Meanwhile, red pine must be straightened to have Taxol content.

Breeding pine in the laboratory.

For successful breeding, the Institute took red pine branches from Lam Dong, then implanted them in the appropriate environment. After two to three months when the shoots are two centimeters high, transfer the shoots to the environment to take root to develop roots.

The roots of the seedling after four months will turn light yellow, forming a fuzzy coat. The rate of root shoots was 80%. When the rooted tree is grown it will be domesticated before being transferred to the nursery.

After three months of development in the nursery the seedlings can be planted in the wild. Red pine is suitable for cold climates like Lam Dong. For root development, the environment must be suitable, including biochemical substances, vitamins, NH ₄ NO ₃ , KNO ₃ , K ₂ SO ₄ . .

The Institute of Biotechnology - Food is the first place in the country to create a young red pine tree with roots. The number of red pine trees in Vietnam is still very small, this is one of the precious plants that need to be preserved.

Dr. Mai added that the Institute has cooperated with some places to develop this red pine tree. In the short term, the Institute will propagate 6,000 seedlings according to orders of a French overseas Vietnamese.