Micro tuber Induction of two Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Varieties namely, Almera and Diamant

Abstract

Two potato varieties namely, Almera and Diamant were induced to form micro tubers under two in vitro culture conditions (darkness and light). Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium verified with varied concentrations of thiadizuron (TDZ), benzylaminopurine BAP and Sucrose, were evaluated for micro tuber induction using node segment explant from the in vitro culture micro plant. Highest micro tubers number (6.0±0.5 micro tuber/jar) obtained by Almera on MS medium verified with sucrose 8% only under dark, whereas higher micro tuber number obtained by Diamant cultivar is (3.0±0.0 micro tuber/jar) on MS medium verified with sucrose 8% only at dark too. In case of micro tuber weight, maximum tuber weight (1250.3±13.0 mg/tuber) obtained by Almera on MS medium supported with 60 g/l sucrose without hormone in dark. Higher micro tuber weight obtained by Diamant cultivar was (420.9±1.3) mg/tuber obtained on MS medium supported with 60 g/l sucrose in dark, followed by (248.6±25.5) mg/tuber produced on MS medium verified with 60.0 g/l sucrose plus 5.0 mg/l TDZ under light, at 30g/l sucrose no micro tuber observed. Highest micro tuber number is related to high sucrose concentration than the level of growth hormones in the medium. It was also observed that twenty four hour dark was best for tuber initiation.