Low-Cost Potato Tissue Culture with Microwave and Bleach Media Preparation and Sterilization

Abstract

Labor and equipment costs are the main expenses in potato micropropagation. To determine if we could reduce costs associated with media sterilization, a disinfectant, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), in combination with microwave heating, were assayed as media sterilants. Incorporating a common 5 % NaOCl household beach at a concentration of 9 ppm (active chlorine) in media sterilized with an autoclave or microwave oven controlled microorganism growth and maintained plantlet growth performance. Non-sterile 473 ml (16 oz.) clear deli containers were selected as an inexpensive replacement for traditional culture vessels and were effectively sterilized with a 50 ppm (active chlorine) NaOCl solution. Reuse of the non-sterile clear deli containers and alternate media water sources were also tested but this decreased plantlet growth performance. Comparison of a controlled growth chamber and ambient laboratory conditions was also investigated. Microorganism growth was significantly less in a controlled growth chamber (5 %) as compared to uncontrolled conditions (26–36 %).