COMPARISON OF TISSUE-CULTURE AND WHOLE-PLANT RESPONSES TO SALINITY INPOTATO

Salt sensitivities of six potato cultivars using six levels of sodium chloride (0.0 to 0.25M) were studied in a greenhouse. Responses of the se cultivars were also determined in tissue culture by studying rootin g of stem segments, increase in length of cultured roots and inhibitio n of growth of cell suspension cultures using similar salt concentrati ons. Responses of cultured stem segments and cell suspensions differed from those expressed by whole plants. A close similarity was observed between the salt stress response of whole plants and of cultured root s. The latter technique may provide a preliminary screening method for assessing salt tolerance in potato genotypes.