IN VITRO CULTURE OF PRIMULA: A REVIEW

Abstract

Primula is the largest genus belongs to Primulaceae family. The majority of the genus is comprising short-lived perennial herbaceous plants. Members of the genus have attractive flowers and are cultivated as bedding plants and flowering potted plants. Additionally, some of the species among the genus are economically important for ornamental plant industry. In commercial production systems, hybrids are especially propagated by seed, while primroses can also be propagated by dividing clumps. However, some problems such as irregular or late germination and low germination rate of the seeds in many primula species prevent mass propagation. Therefore, tissue culture techniques are valuable tools in breeding program, enlargement of genetic pool, gene transformation, as well as in conservation plant genetic materials in primula. In this review, common plant tissue culture techniques used in Primula species were briefly presented.