Effect of BAP and soil type on production of Virus-free potato plant (Solanum tuberosum L.)‎ regenerated via shoot tip meristem

Abstract EN

Potatoes are one of the major vegetable crops that are grown worldwide.

Therefore, evaluation of varieties in production of virus free mini-tubers is critical.

In this study, the effect of BAP at 0, 1, 1.5 and 2 mg l -1 on shoot number explants-1 , plant height and number of root plantlets-1 for production of virus free plantlets was evaluated on two potato cultivars Spunta and Draga.

Spunta gave the highest number of shoots (2.4 shoots plant-1 ) at BAP of 2 mg l-1 , whereas, Draga gave the longest plant (6 cm) at BAP of 1.5 mg l-1 .

MS medium without hormones had the highest number of roots (2.3 and 2) in Draga and Spunta cultivars, respectively.

In both cultivars, plants grown in soil mixed with sand gave the highest tuber number of tubers plant-1 in Spunta (15) and Draga (14), respectively.

At the same time, the highest tuber weight was 75 and 65 gm in Spunta and Draga plant respectively that were grown in perlite alone.

Using ElISA based detection method, proved that the potato viruses (PVY, PVM, PVS) and potato leafroll virus (PLRV) were not detected either in plantlets or formed tubers in both cultivars.

Well rooted plants were transferred to green house for tuber production and the rate of survival was 100%.

In conclusion, virus free plant was obtained using shoot tip culture and BAP as growth hormones in both cultivars.

Soil and sand was the best bed for potato cultivation.