OPTIMIZATION OF MICROTUBERIZATION IN INDIGENOUS POTATO CV. DESIREE

Abstract

In vitro generated microtubers of potato are an ideal source for germplasm conservation and its
exchange as a disease free material. The investigation reported here was conducted to evaluate
different factors affecting microtuberization in potato variety Desiree. Initially the in vitro plantlets
of potato were established from meristems. These in vitro generated plantlets were transferred to
MS media containing different levels of sucrose (0, 4, 8, 10 and 12 %), kinetin (0, 1 and 2 mgl-1
)
and photoperiod (8 and 16 hours) for the induction of microtuberization. During this study the data
was collected for parameters as days required for tuber induction, number of tubers per plant,
frequency of tuber induction and their mean weight. Statistical analysis was carried out and among
the evaluated factors high sucrose concentration (8%), together with short photoperiod (8 hour)
without hormones was found the most effective regime for the low cost mass production of high
quality microtubers in potato variety Desiree