Factors Affecting the Formation of In vitro Tubers of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

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Abstract
In vitro (mini) tubers were induced within 6–8 weeks in serially propagated potato shoot cultures by subculturing to medium containing 2.0 mg 1−1 benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 6 per cent sucrose in 8- and 24-h days. The effect of BAP in promoting tubering was greater in short than in long days. In short days most of the tubers were formed above the agar, in long days within the agar. Tubering was promoted less effectively by the addition of (2-chloroethyl)-trimethylammonium chloride (CCC) to the medium, but CCC reinforced the effect of BAP leading to earlier tubering above the agar. Tubering eventually took place after 4—5 months on medium without hormones, sooner in short than in long days. Periods of short days and low temperatures given to long-day cultures did not accelerate tubering. Abscisic acid had little effect on, and GA2 strongly inhibited, tubering. Tubering was also inhibited by sealing the culture vessels but not if ethylene-absorbing agents were included.