The induction and growth of potato (Solanum tuberosum. L) microtubers (sante cultivar) in response to the different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine and sucrose

The effects of different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and sucroseas induction combinations on microtuber formation and the time of this process, numbers and fresh and dry weight of microtubers were investigated. A two-stage culture was used to study the effect of hormonal and sucrose treatments. In the first stage, a liquid MS medium containing 0.5 mgl-1 BAP + 0.4 mgl-1 gibberellic acid (GA3) + 20 gl-1 sucrose was used for the increase of branches. The cultures of single node were grown against white light (4000 to 5000 LUX) and on sucrose for one month. In the second stage, microtuber formation induced on fluid MS medium containing different concentrations of sucrose (30, 40, 60, 80 mgl-1) and BAP (1, 2, 5, 10 mgl-1) was used in continuous darkness. Microtuber formation was investigated within 10 weeks after induction. Key words: Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), 6-benzylaminopurine, sucrose, microtuber formation.