INFLUENCE OF PLANT DERIVED EXTRACTS ON IN VITRO MICROTUBERIZATION OF POTATO (SOLANUM TUBEROSUM L.) CV. KUFRI HIMALINI

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the influence of plant derived extracts on in vitro microtuberization of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cv. ‘Kufri Himalini’ as potential natural supplements or alternatives to synthetic plant growth regulators. The study was conducted during 2025 at the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory, Department of Horticulture, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru, Karnataka, using newly developing sprouts from healthy potato tubers as explants in a completely randomized design (CRD). Coconut water, potato homogenate, banana homogenate and tomato homogenate were evaluated at 10, 15 and 20 per cent concentrations and compared with MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/L BAP and basal MS medium without PGR or extract. Microtuberization provides compact, disease-free propagating material with advantages in handling, storage, transportation and seed production. The results revealed that 2 mg/L BAP recorded the earliest tuber initiation (45.60 days), highest tuberization response (60.00, 72.00 and 86.00%), number of microtubers (2.60, 3.40 and 4.00), average weight (160.75, 168.95 and 176.95 mg) and size (8.44, 8.86 and 9.06 mm) at 50, 70 and 90 days, respectively. Among the plant derived extracts, 20 per cent coconut water was most effective and comparable with BAP recording 46.60 days for tuber initiation and 60.00, 70.00 and 84.00 per cent tuberization response, 2.40, 3.00 and 3.80 microtubers, at 50, 70 and 90 days, respectively. Its average microtuber weight was 173.29 mg and size were 8.94 mm at 90 days. Further, 15 per cent coconut water and 20 per cent potato homogenate were also comparable with BAP for most microtuberization parameters, particularly during the later stages. Thus, 20 per cent coconut water, followed by 15 per cent coconut water and 20 per cent potato homogenate, showed considerable potential as natural supplements and potential alternatives to synthetic PGRs for in vitro microtuber production in potato cv. ‘Kufri Himalini’.