EUPHORBIACEAE - A CRITICAL REVIEW ON PLANT TISSUE CULTURE

Abstract

The members of Euphorbiaceae are valuable source of different kinds of useful products like dyes, edible tubers, oil crops, furniture, agricultural implements, ornamental plants, pharmacological products, rubber, timber and aesthetic items. Micropropagation is an alternative mean of propagation that can be employed in conservation of the flora in relatively shorter time. Tissue culture is useful for multiplying and conserving the species, which are difficult to regenerate by conservation methods and save them from extinction. Cryopreservation of germplasm would help in maintaining the genetic diversity of the endangered population. Improved cell and tissue culture technologies would help in producing the active compounds in vitro with better productivities without cutting down the natural resources. There is sufficient progress at research level to suggest that the tissue culture of Euphorbiaceae can and should be further developed. This review emphasizes the in vitro manipulation and remarkable achievements with biotechnology in this family made during the last six decades.