Effect of different test tube closure methods on growth and development of potato cultivars

Abstract

The present study evaluates the effect of three different types of test tube closures (Cotton plugs, Poly-caps and Steri-stoppers) on in vitro performance of potato varieties Kufri Giriraj, Kufri Himalini and Kufri Himsona. Kufri Giriraj exhibited better rooting efficiency, leaf size and root length, while Kufri Himsona exhibited better leaf colour, stem thickness and number of nodes. Kufri Himalini showed better stem height and intermodal length. Overall all the varieties performed better with tubes closed with cotton plugs for leaf size, leaf colour and stem thickness. Kufri Himalini and Kufri Himsona produced longer intermodal length in test tubes closed with a poly-cap or a cotton plug. Kufri Giriraj, however, produced better result over the same trait in tubes closed with a cotton plug or a steri-stopper. Cotton plugs were superior over steri-stoppers and poly-caps providing better ventilation, thus promoting better plant morphogenesis and being economical for potato micro-propagation.