Mericloning of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) for Virus Free Plant Production

Abstract

Micropropagation through mericloning using meristem tips is a key strategy for virus free plant production in major crops that would yield genetically stable plants. Meristem cells from root or shoot apices serves as explant source. Potato viruses cause serious impact in production and lead to huge yield loss. Commercial production of disease free potatoes for nutritional and seed purposes demands adoption of combined strategy of mericloning with other therapeutic procedures like thermo/ chemo therapy for large scale propagation.