Production of Potato Tubers and Seedlings using Plant Tissue Culture and Aeroponic for Potato Cultivation

Micro propagation is a promising and effective technique for propagation of healthy virus-free potato tubers. This study aimed to produce virus-free potato mini- and micro-tubers. Micro-propagation and in vitro tuberization were employed to propagate two potato varieties, Lady Rosetta and Spunta, with combinations and concentrations of BAP, kinetin, and IAA growth regulators, six hormonal combinations of kinetin/IAA and BAP/IAA ratios were tested with in vitro tuberization, while BAP and kinetin levels of 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/l were tested for in vitro micro-propagation. Results showed that attributes of explants' micropropagation transformation into plantlets varied with variable combinations and concentrations of BAP, kinetin, and IAA. Impact of kinetin on number of shootless explants, root lengths and cell division were lower than BAP, regardless of concentration. Treatment with BAP 1.5 mg/l + IAA 1 mg/l resulted in a higher proportion (60%) of tuberization than other treatments. Tubers’ size increased from 0.7 cm to 1.2 cm, which is the proper size for planting using aeroponic technology. The study showed the applicability of the tested technique for in vitro potato micro tuberization and multiplication, as well as the potential for in vitro cloning of other potato cultivars.