This invention relates to a method for improving the growth and regeneration potential of embryogenic cell and tissue cultures of coniferous plants retrieved from cryopreservation. In particular, this invention relates to the use of abscisic acid in the post-cryopreservation recovery medium to improve both the growth and somatic embryo production of embryogenic cell and tissue cultures of conifers, thereby enabling more rapid proliferation of the embryogenic cultures and a subsequent increase in the yield of somatic embryos. This method is well-suited for employment with a number of biotechnological uses of embryogenic cultures of coniferous plants retrieved from cryopreservation, including use with embryogenic cultures of coniferous plants and with genetically transformed embryogenic cultures of coniferous plants for producing clonal planting stock useful for reforestation.
