Abstract

MAHFOUZE, Sherin A; ESMAEL, Amira M  and  MOHASSEB, Heba Allah A. Genetic improvement of potato microtuber production in vitro by gamma irradiation. Biotecnol Apl [online]. 2012, vol.29, n.4, pp.253-257. ISSN 1027-2852.

The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a major food crop in Egypt. The main problem in the program of conventional seed potato production is the low rate of multiplication in field conditions and the susceptibility of potato to diseases such as fungi, bacteria and viruses, thereby resulting in poor quality and yields. Recently, plant tissue culture technology has become very popular and has a visible impact on the production of virus free pre-basic seed potatoes. This study was aimed at producing virus free microtubers in vitro, to investigate the stimulating effects of low doses of gamma irradiation on microtuber mean number, mean fresh weight and size. Among the gamma radiation doses tested (1.5, 2, 2.5, 5 and 10 Gy), the 5 and 10 Gy doses gave the highest number of microtubers, had significant effects on microtuber weight increase and also generated the highest size microtubers (180 cm3). Additionally, nine potato unique markers were identified among the 45 polymorphic bands, as analyzed by random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction profiles, with one marker detected for the 5 Gy gamma radiation dose and none for the 10 Gy. The highest number of markers (4) was obtained with the 2.5 Gy dose.

Keywords : microtuber gamma irradiation; meristem-tip; random amplified polymorphic DNA technique; Solanum tuberosum L.

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