MERISTEM CULTURE AND IN VITRO PLANT REGENERATION OF SOME POTATO (Solanum tuberosum L.) GENOTYPES

Abstract

The experiment was undertaken with a view to standardize a protocol for in v/tm culture and plant regeneration using potato meristem as explants. The experimental materials were six potato genotypes viz, Shil Bilati, Kufri Shinduri, Lal Pakri, Shil Pakri, Jam Alu and Pahari Pakri. Four levels of GA3 (100, 200, 300 and 400 ppm) were used to assess the influence of GA3 on sprouting abilities of six potato genotypes. The maximum sprouting efficiency was observed in 400ppm 0A3 treatment. Combinations of GA3, 2, 4-D and Kinetin were used along with fresh MS media to inoculate meristems and to induce callus. Maximum size of callus was observed (0.82 cm) in Kufri Shinduri inoculated in T4 (0.5 mg/I GA3 +1.0 mg/I 2, 4-0+ 1.5 mg/I KIN). Shil Pakri meristem inoculated in hormonal treatment T3 (0.5mg/i GA3 + 0.5mg/I 2, 4-D + 1.5mg/I KIN) showed best results regarding highest single shoot length/plantlet (5.88 cm). Three levels of GA3 treatments (fresh MS, MS+0.5mg/l GA3 and MS+1.5mg/1) were used to study subsequent shoot elongation and plant regeneration of single shoot/plantlet produced from meristem culture. Treatment T2 (0.5 mg/I GA3) gave maximum plant height (5.68 cm), number of branches/plantlet (2.60), root lengthfplantlet (8.74 cm) and number of leaves/plantlet (14.86). Shil Pakri gave maximum performance in respect of plant height (8.96 cm), number of branches/plantlet (2.78), number of roots/plantlet (4.33) and number of leaves/plantlet (22.56). Shil Pakri treated with T2 (0.5 mg/I GA3) showed maximum plant height (9.50 cm), number of branches/plantlet (5) and number of leaves/plantlet (33.67). Among all genotypes Shil Bilati was least responsive whereas Shil Pakri showed better overall performance from meristem culture to establishment of plants in field conditions. Plantlets obtained from meristem culture were tested using DAS-ELISA protocol for confirming plantlets to be virus free. All the potato genotypes except Shil Bilati and Jam Alu were reported virus free. xiv