Potential of aeroponics system in the production of quality potato (Solanum tuberosum l.) seed in developing countries

Abstract

The production of potato seed under conventional system has not been effective in avoiding or reducing the build up of pathogens and has consequently led to reduced quality potato seed and low crop yields. Plants once cleaned through meristem culture and induction of tuberization under aeroponics system, produce high quality potato seed tubers rapidly that are free from contamination of pathogens. Further multiplication of potato seed tubers under aeroponics also compliments tissue culture (micropropagation), as it clones minitubers in a short time and reduces numerous labour steps associated with direct use of plantlets from tissue culture into the field in the post flask stage. Minitubers from air-rooted plants are planted directly in the field without a need for acclimatization to such environments. This system, as is the case with micropropagation, has potential to increase income and reduce cost of production of quality seed, thereby, making it more accessible to growers in developing countries where potato production is heavily constrained by the use of poor quality seed tubers. This review gives an insight on the potential of aeroponics in compliment to plant tissue culture in revolutionalizing the potato seed production in the agricultural systems of developing countries.

Key words: Aeroponics, tissue culture, potato seed.