TISSUE CULTURE OF PERSOONIA SPECIES FOR HORTICULTURE AND RESTORATION

Persoonia (Proteaceae) is an Australian endemic genus of Proteaceae many species of which are horticulturally desirable. A large number of species are endangered in the wild and the restoration industry is interested in effective ways to propagate them. While high volume regeneration of persoonias from seeds and cuttings remains problematic, tissue culture may be an alternative or complementary technique. Further work on this taxon is required to optimise multiplication of cultures and the transition of explants to the ex vitro environment.