Phys.org – Biotechnology

High-Tech Imaging Could Improve Cultivation of Trees Essential to Alberta's Forestry Industry

University of Alberta researchers used synchrotron micro‑computed tomography to generate the first full‑scale 3D images of lodgepole pine conelets, revealing stark internal differences between healthy and failing seeds. The high‑resolution scans showed that viable conelets possess larger tissue volume and organized cavities, while failed ones are smaller and decay rapidly after pollination. The non‑destructive method avoided traditional dissection, preserving sample integrity. Findings promise to refine seed‑orchard management and boost the productivity of a species that supplies roughly half of Alberta’s timber harvest.