Vol. 12, Issue 1 (2023)

Author(s):
K Hanume Gowda

Abstract:
In vitro techniques have been shown to be useful in identifying relatively drought-tolerant genotypes at early stages of development. In this study, drought-induced alterations in early root and shoot development of 20 Sweet potato genotypes were assessed at tissue culture laboratory of ICAR-CTCRI, Regional Centre, Bhubaneswar with different concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG6000MW) at three levels 0, 10 and 15g/lt with three replications in factorial completely randomized design. Data on shoot growth, root growth, total plant weight, number of leaves, number of roots and leaf area were recorded during tissue culture regeneration. Analysis of variance was performed and non-significant among treatment means at a probability level of 0.01. Out of 20 genotypes screened, only 11 genotypes have shown response at different PEG levels. At higher concentration of PEG i.e. 15g/lt, genotypes Howrah, Bx37, SB72/7, SBOP5/67 and 78 have shown response. At 15g/lt genotype 78 shows greater root and shoot length, genotype SBOP5/67 had recorded maximum plant weight. At 10g/lt of PEG, Genotypes Howrah, BX37, SB72/7, SBOP5/67, 78, Megh-20, BX35 and BX102 shows response. At 10g/lt of PEG, genotype BX37 has recorded maximum shoot length, genotype Megh-20 has recorded maximum root length and genotype BX102 has recorded maximum plant weight. Nine genotypes 2, 39, BX25, SP61, 6, VII, 731, 568 and 613 were susceptible and did not show any response at any concentration. The technique was found to be a useful tool for screening a large number of Sweet Potato genotypes within a relatively short period of time.