Genotypic variability for weight, storage loss and germination of microtubers in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Abstract

The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is world's fourth important food crop after wheat, rice and maize. In potato production, the major input is of seed and approximately 50 % is the cost of seed potato. In addition to high cost of seed potato, potato production is characterized by low rate of multiplication. Potatoes are continuously propagated by tubers which is one of the most important disadvantages as all the tissue borne viruses, fungi and bacteria that have infected the crop during previous years leads to significant loss of yield and tuber quality. Now the microtubers production can be used as tool for production of nucleus potato seed stocks and has all the advantages of increasing pathogen free plants. In this case, the multiplication of virus free plantlets and microtuber production is carried out under aseptic conditions, where there is no chance of virus infection.