Innovative techniques
Virus diseases of potato can be responsible for yield losses of 30 to 50% or even more in severe cases. To overcome the problem, the Institute has established a mass propagating system to produce virus-free potato seedlings. After sterilization of axillary buds, meristem tips are excised (Figure 1) under microscope and cultured in nutrient media in flasks. The specially formulated nutrient media increases the formation of a large number of adventitious buds, tuberlets and roots after a period of culture (Figure 2). After the potato plantlets are proved to be free from viruses, they are multiplied to produce a mass number of seedlings. The seedlings then are transplanted to plug trays, which are elevated from the ground, and grown in the greenhouse to produce disease-free, high-quality foundation seedlings (Figure 3) for the farmers.