ACCELERATING MICROTUBERIZATION IN POTATO BY IRRADIATION

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the stimulating effects of low doses of gamma irradiation on microtuber production. The etiolated shoots of potato were cultured on simple MS medium. The nodal segments from these seedlings were sub-cultured on MS basic medium that was supplemented with 0.8% agar, 6 mgL-1 BAP, 4 mgL-1 kinetin and 60 gL-1 sucrose and then were irradiated with 4 doses of gamma radiation (1, 3, 5, 7 Gray). The acceleration of plantlets growth and microtuber production were examined. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The data collected were analyzed using appropriate statistical technique which showed that irradiation doses had significant effect on microtuber formation and 3-Gray gamma rays produced best results.