AN EFFICIENT METHOD FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CELL SUSPENSION CULTURES IN POTATO (SOLANUM TUBEROSUM L.)

 

ZAHOOR AHMAD SAJID^* AND FAHEEM AFTAB

 

Department of Botany, University of the Punjab, Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore-54590, Pakistan.

^*Corresponding author e-mail: zasajid2000@yahoo.com  Tel: +92-334-7407566

 

Abstract

 

Cell suspension cultures offers an In vitro system that can be used as a tool for various studies involving mutant selection, mass propagation, protoplast isolation, gene transfer and selection of cell-lines which are resistant to various biotic or abiotic stresses. Research work on the development of cell suspension cultures was carried out to establish the most efficient method in Potato (cv. Desiree). Healthy, well-proliferating tissues from different types of callus cultures (compact, friable, embryogenic or non-embryogenic) were inoculated on various media combinations, i.e., MS, MS2 or AA liquid medium containing 18.09 µM 2, 4-D. A fixed quantity (0.5-1.0 g) of callus tissue from 60-day-old callus cultures was transferred to 10-25 ml of liquid medium in 100 ml Erlenmeyer flask. Cultures were placed on an orbital shaker and agitated at different speeds (75, 100 or 125 rpm) under 16-h photoperiod at 25 ± 2^°C. Medium was changed after every 3 days and fractionated tissue was filtered after every 6 days through sterile mesh (100-800 µm) to develop a cell-line by transferring resulting suspension to fresh medium under the same conditions. Results indicated that eight-week-old translucent, friable, off-white callus cultures were an excellent starting material for the initiation of homogeneous cell suspension cultures as compared to other tested sources. Of the three tested media (MS, MS2 or AA medium containing 18.09 µM 2, 4-D), MS2 was found to be a better medium for the initiation of cell suspension cultures. Cell suspension cultures, placed in 16-h photoperiod at 25 ± 2^°C and agitated at 120 rpm using a gyratory shaker showed excellent results. Several other factors influencing quick establishment of cell suspension cultures in this cultivar are also discussed in this communication.

 

Key words: Callus, Cell suspension cultures, In vitro, Potato.