Overview of studies on in vitro propagation of peach

Peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) is one of the most popular stone fruits and includes several cultivars producing edible drupes with economic importance. Commercially largely produced in Mediterranean and, to a lesser extent, in continental climatic conditions, peach has received extensive attention in the last 30 years, a fact that has led to the expansion of cultivated areas and the diversification of available cultivars. Research carried out in USA, Canada, France, Italy, Spain and Romania has led to a large number of cultivars with remarkable agro-productive characteristics. Several breeding programs with different aims annually release large numbers of new cultivars. The aim of this study was to present the most important studies on in vitro micro-propagation of peach around the world, as well as to identify the most important achievements and prospects in the development of peach tissue culture in Romania.