Comparative performance of potato crops raised from microtubers induced in the dark versus microtubers induced in light

Abstract

SummaryThe performance of potato crops raised from two types of microtuber, green (induced in lightdark photoperiod) and white (induced in continuous darkness), of 18 genotypes was studied for 22 morphological and agronomic characters. Mean squares due to microtuber type, genotype and their interaction were mostly significant for various characters. Green microtubert; were better than white microtubers for subsequent crop performance for most of the characters including tuber yield and general impression. This was mainly due to more eyes and shorter dormancy in green microtubers than in white microtubers. The in vitro system of microtuberization by serial culture of axillary buds in separated nodes, as used in the present study, was found to be genetically stable for the propagating material.

Field Performance of Cultivars Nicola and Russet Burbank Micro and Minitubers

“…This may be due to microtubers having more eyes than minitubers and consequently more stems producing more tubers. Gopal et al (1997) support this hypothesis.…”

“…Gopal (1996) and Gopal et al (1998) reported that green tubers induced in a diffuse light photoperiod had more eyes, 6.0, than white microtubers, 3.5, induced in continuous darkness. A greater number of eyes per microtuber may result in better performance of crops grown from these microtubers (Gopal et al 1997).…”

Novel bioreactor technology for mass propagation of potato microtubers

“…Probably the most common is supplement of relatively high concentration (8% w/v) of sucrose in the tuber-induction medium (Donnelly et al 2003). Tuberization has also been induced by short-day conditions (Seabrook et al 1993;Gopal et al 1998), low light intensities (Gopal et al 1998), or total darkness (Gopal et al 1997). In addition, cool night temperature regime has been found to favor microtuber formation (Gopal et al 1998).…”

Effects of plant growth regulators and photoperiod on in vitro microtuberization of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

“…This result shows that various cultivars' potential for various traits differs, so that one cultivar might present superiority for some traits in comparison to other cultivars, while this cultivar presents inferiority for other traits. Different responses by potato cultivars to various traits in vitro condition has been reported by many researchers (Leklerck et al, 1994;Gopal et al, 1997;Ochotorena et al, 1999). In addition to genotype effect, other factores including hormone and photoperiod would effect on microtuber production in potato.…”