The Effect Of Agar Substitution On Micro Shoot Production Of Two Potato Cultivars (Solanum Tuberosum L.)

Abstract

The effects of Bacto agar, food agar, tapioca starch, sand, fresh sawdust, well decomposed sawdust and water (non-solidifying agent) on growth and development of potato shoot cultured in vitro were studied. The results showed that tapioca starchcould be used as agar substitute. Potato micro shoots produced from both cultivars numbered 1 ½ till 2 times those on agar medium. On the aother hand fresh sawdust, well decomposed sawdust and sand in liquid medium inhibited the growth and development of explants. Cultivar Red Pontiac showed better responses in all media that was used compared to cultivar PAS 3063. Production of micro shoots of cultivar Red Pontiac was higher that that of PAS 3063.