Articles
PRODUCTION OF POTATO MICRO-TUBERS THROUGH IN VITRO CULTURE
The aim of the work was to identify the best condition for in vitro micro-tubers production, in order to use them in programmes of pre-basic seed production.
The investigated factors were the medium composition (mainly concerning the supplementation of hormones), the genotype, the daylength and the temperature.
The presence of benzylaminopurine proved to be determinant in increasing the rate of in vitro micro-tuberization: the concentration of 2 mg/l gave the best results, both in the number and weight of the produced micro-tubers.
The addition of silver thiosulphate to the medium improved the explant growth but not the tuberization.
Genotype showed to be an important source of variation: ‘Konst’, ‘Monalisa’ and ‘Spunta’ gave the best results, while ‘Arsy’ and ‘Desital’ produced the lowest number of and lightest micro-tubers.
The daylength had a positive effect on number and size of the produced micro-tubers, as well as the lowest temperature considered (20°C). Significant interactions, mainly between genotype and daylength and between genotype and temperature, were observed.
The results of the experiment show that micro-tubers can be produced quite easily and conveniently: after 12 weeks of culture and in the best conditions studied the micro-tuberization rate was close to (and in some cases higher than) one per cutting, while the micro-tubers managed to reach a weight as high as 250 mg.