Evaluation of genetic diversity of cowslip populations (Primula veris L.) in Kosovo, based on some phenotypic traits and indicators.

MUZAFER LUMA¹ NDOC FASLIA²

¹Agricultural Faculty, University of Prishtina, Kosovo.

²Department of Plant Sciences and Technologies, Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania

*Corresponding author e-mail: muzaferluma69@gmail.com

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Abstract

Kosovo’s territory is very rich in medicinal plants, and one of these plants is cowslip (Primula veris L.),which grows in almost all areas of the country. The study is focused in the western and eastern parts of Kosovo, in which are collected 20 cowslip samples, that represent 10 typical populations of this plant, distributed throughout the country. During three years (2016-2018), the populations included in this study, were analyzed for a number of bio-morphological indicators, as well as chemical analysis of the phenol content in flowers and roots are carried out.
For the analyzed populations, the plant phenological stages have been carefully observed, and a number of indicators and features have been measured. These phenotypic features and indicators have to do with: the number of flowering stalks, plant height, the number of leaves per plant, the size of the leaf, the number of flowers per plant, color of the flowers and leaves, the number of seeds, the type of the root system, etc. From the data obtained for each sample, the average parameters for each population are calculated , and then a statistical data processing is done. Based on the data processing, it is very evident that cowslip populations are characterized by a great diversity, between populations, as well as within the populations themselves. Diversity is present in the plant height, the height of the flowering stalks, the number of flowers per plants, the time of flowering and fructification etc. Some of these populations, such as those collected in Leqenat (P1M1) and Gollak (P8M1), have a great interest to be cultivated by the farmers, in the territory of Kosovo.

Keywords: plant diversity, plant population; phenotypic traits; chemical analysis