TUBER CHARACTERISTICS OF DISEASE FREE MERISTEM CLONES OF SOME POTATO GENOTYPES

Abstract

Potato seedlings of various potato genotypes free from the following viruses PVS (potato viruses S), PVX (potato viruses X), PVY (potato viruses Y), PLRV (potato leafroll virus), PVA (potato viruses A) and PMTV (potato mop-top viruses) were obtained via meristem culture and they were increased in vitro. Seedlings were grown in the greenhouse and mini tubers obtained were tested in the seed bed and in the field trials. When the results of greenhouse experiment were evaluated: clone Nif-1 was found to be high for single tuber number (3.0). Clone 6/7-1 had high means as compared to the remaining for single tuber weight (5.2 g) and single plant yield (14.5 g). The highest mini tuber number was obtained from Clone 6/7 in seedbed experiment. Also Hermes-1 had higher means for single tuber weight and Clone 122-1 had the higher means for plant yield and plot yield than that of other clones. Clones Atlantic-2; 3 and 1 (5.8 cm) had high tuber width and clone Hermes-1 and 2 (6.6 cm) had the highest means for tuber length in the seedbed trial. Based on the results of field experiment the highest minituber numbers were obtained from Clone 6/7-2 (10.7) and Clone 6/7-2 (10.3). Atlantic-1 (136.5 g) had high mean for tuber weight as compared to other clones. Nif-1 had the highest mean for plant yield as 920.2 g. Clone 122-1 was found to be higher than the other clones for plot yield (5.3 kg). Clones of Atlantic-1; 2 and 3 (5.9 cm) had high tuber width and clones of Juwel-1; 2 and Hermes-2 (6.8 cm) had the highest means for tuber length.