Rapid Propagation of Virus-tested Potatoes

High quality potato seed production is typically begun with the selection of true to type tubers that have been tested and found to be free of specific viral, fungal and bacterial pathogens. In most current seed production programs, plant tissue culture methods are employed for the initial increase of these tubers (Bryan, 1988; Jones, 1988). The second increase is generally in the greenhouse after which the tubers are multiplied in the field over successive generations under conditions that control infectious diseases that can be transmitted through the progeny tubers.