Advances in plant biotechnology offer new opportunities in the field of plant propagation. Development of clonal propagation method, such as somatic embryogenesis has potentially numerous applications such as the production of a large number of genetically improved plants and the amenability of embryogenic cultures to cryogenic storage. Since the 90’s, INRA engaged researches on somatic embryogenesis in Larix species. Several improvements and simplifications of somatic embryogenesis protocol were developed at all steps including initiation, cryopreservation, maturation and plant recovery. The improved procedure for somatic embryogenesis of Larix species leads to well-synchronised and controlled somatic embryo development. Among conifer species, somatic embryogenesis of Larix is becoming a model ; its integration in a breeding programme is now undertaken for clonal propagation of improved material of hybrid larch Larix x eurolepis. Indeed, we believe that somatic embryogenesis should influence breeding strategies by offering an alternative tool for accelerated production of plants for genotype evaluation through clonal testing; in addition, cryoconservation allows keeping juvenility of material and its production at any time.