In vitro techniques have been shown to be useful in identifying relatively drought-tolerant genotypes at early stages of development. In this study, drought-induced alterations in early shoot and root development of 59 sweetpotato genotypes was evaluated in the tissue culture laboratory at the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services, Quarantine station, Muguga, Kenya. These genotypes were obtained from Lima, Peru and were evaluated against two known Kenyan check varieties, Marooko (drought tolerant) and K566632 (drought susceptible). Plantlets of each genotype were raised on Murashige and Skoog basal solid medium, from an original node consisting of a 0.2-0.5 cm stem segment. These were exposed to polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) at three different concentration levels: 0, 10 and 15 g/l. The experiment was laid out in a factorial completely randomized design with three replications. Data on shoot and root growth were recorded during tissue regeneration lasting over a period of 4 weeks per regeneration cycle. Analysis of variance indicated genotypes, salt levels and salt level × genotype interaction, were highly significant (P<0.01) with respect to all the traits. At 15 g/l concentration of PEG, genotypes 189135.9, 194515.5, 440024, 441724 and 440001 had roots that were longer than those of Marooko. Genotypes 194515.5, 194539.36, 441724, 441538, 189135.9, 41768, 192033.5 and 440429 recorded greater leaf expansion, greater stem length elongation, greater root and shoot growth and high dry matter production at all salt levels indicating their ability to withstand severe water stress conditions. Genotypes 189151.38, 420027, 440132, 440104, 440034, 421111, 440166 and 441755 were identified as susceptible. The technique was found to be a useful tool for screening a large number of sweetpotato genotypes within a relatively short period of time.
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