Improvement of Rooting of Stem Cuttings Propagated In vitro through Hydroponics in Potato

Shoot reared in vitro is widely used in hydroponic seed tuber production system in potato. Its major disadvantages in use is that thin and weak shoot can not be planted directly on hydroponic culture bed. Therefore, this study was conducted to improve the rooting of stem cuttings propagated in vitro through hydroponic culture system. In vitro shoots were grown in solutions for 30 days, stems were stem-cut, and transplanted into aeroponic culture bed. Early growth of roots and stem cuttings were increased in aeroponics than in conventional media rooting system composed of perlite and peatmoss. On 60 days after planting, these differences had no statistical significance. Plant growth and tuber yield on 90 days after planting were not different between the two rooting media. Considering these results, potato stem cuttings of in vitro shoots should be rooted in aeroponic culture system.