Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) microtubers are a valuable source for germplasm conservation, disease-free germplasm exchange and nutritional values. Microtubers induction potential of three potato cultivars were tested under in vitro conditions. The experimental design, complete randomized with three replications was applied. The results indicate that the effect of cultivar, hormone had influence on whole traits. MS medium supplemented with NAA at 2.0 mg/l and BAP at 0.5 mg/l resulted in the longest main shoots with highest node number. BAP at 0.1 mg/l were produced microtubers from 3 potato cultivars. Microtubers stored at 5oC for one year and planted in soil. It was observed that tubers retained their viability under low temperature when tuber diameter was more than 5 mm. Such tubers produced healthy plantlets upon transfer to soil. The study showed that no significant differences of the chemical components of microtuber production in vitro compared with field tuber plants. The highest values in total protein and starch content were recorded in case of cv. Spunta, while the highest total sugars were obtained in case of cv. Agria. Moreover, the cv. Mondial ranks between in all assayed organic constituents. The expression of a genotype for microtuber production in vitro is different from that of tuber production under field situation i.e. the performance of a genotype in vitro is not a measure of its field performance. |
