Evaluation of BAP Effects on Plantlets Micro Tuberization of Five Potato Cultivars

Abstract

The effects of BAP on the micro tuberization were evaluated using five commercial cultivars of potato. Potato tubers were planted in the greenhouse and young shoots were cut and transferred to Tissue Culture Laboratory of Agricultural Research Institute. Apical and axillary bud explants were cultured on liquid MS medium containing 2 mgl-1 GA3. The biological samples were subculture every four weeks on the same medium for plantlet production and propagation. Then, for plantlets micro tuberization, plantlets were cultured on liquid MS medium with different concentrations of BAP (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mgl-1). After eight weeks characteristics, such as the number of micro tubers, micro tuber fresh weight, micro tuber dry weight, the mean of micro tuber diameter, the mean of eyes number, the mean of small micro tuber diameter, the mean of large micro tuber diameter, the mean of eyes number on the small micro tubers and the mean of eyes number on the large micro tubers were recorded. Morphological parameters of micro tubers varied significantly among cultivars and BAP concentrations at P < 0.05 or P < 0.01. Results indicated that cultivars produced significantly higher number of micro tubers in the presence of BAP. For the tested cultivars, micro tuberization was maximum in liquid MS medium containing 5 mgl-1 BAP and it was lowest in 0 mgl-1 BAP.