Minitubers formation of four Cuban varieties of <i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L. in greenhouse

Abstract

The production of seed potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants coming from in vitro culture will ensure the rapid spread of promising varieties. The aim of this work was to determine the response of four Cuban varieties during minitubers formation in greenhouse from plants in vitro obtained. Plants of the varieties 'Yuya', 'Marinca', 'Grettel' and 'Ibis' with height between 6.5 and 7.0cm were used. These were planted at a distance of 10x10cm on a substrate composed of organic matter (100%). At 15 days of culture the number of live plants was quantified and the percentage of survival was calculated. Subsequently, the fresh and dry mass of the foliage and root system were determined every 15 days and up to 90 days of culture and the absolute and relative growth rate were calculated. At 75 days of culture the number, diameter, fresh and dry mass of the minitubers were quantified. The results showed high plant survival (> 96.5%). The absolute and relative growth rate in the time and the formation of minitubers were dependent on the variety. The highest number of minitubers per plant was obtained in the variety 'Ibis' while the largest number with seed size (2.9-4.5 cm in diameter) was obtained in the varieties 'Yuya' and Grettel. The results of the work provided important information to establish differential agronomic management for each variety to increase the number of seed size minitubers. Keywords: fresh mass, minitubers, potato, growth rate