Use of potato microtubers cv. `Andinita' obtained in temporary immersion systems to produce minitubers at greenhouse

Abstract

The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important crops worldwide. Production of microtubers in temporary immersion systems represents a qualitative advance in obtaining planting material. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of using potato microtubers obtained in SIT to produce minitubers in greenhouse. One hundred microtubers were planted per treatment at a distance of 5.0 x 10 cm. After 15 days, the number of live plants was quantified, while, at 70 and 120 days of culture 15 plants were selected for treatment and fresh and dry mass of foliage and root was determined. In addition, other morphological variables at 120 days were evaluated. Survival ranged between 84 and 86%. The results showed that microtubers of cv. `Andinita' obtained in SIT can be used at greenhouse to produce minitubers. The immersion frequency with which they were obtained influenced the number of minitubers per plant as well as its content of dry mass. The best results were achieved with immersion every 4h. In this treatment 5.9 minituber were obtained per plant and 70.3% of these were in the category of 10.0 to 40.0g. Key words: minitubers, potato, seed