GELRITE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO AGAR FOR MICROPROPAGATION AND MICROTUBERIZATION OF SOLANUM-TUBEROSUM L. CV BARAKA

Phytagel(TM) allowed the production of longer internodes, faster in vi tro tuberization, and larger tubers in Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Baraka as compared to Difco Bacto-agar during both an 8-h photoperiod or in darkness. It also allowed a higher tuberization percentage in the dark . Only a 0.2% (wt/vol) Phytagel allowed optimal micropropagation and m icrotuberization under the photoperiod regime used. Water availability does not account for the observed differences in growth and tuberizat ion between media containing the above gelling agents. In consequence, Phytagel appears as an advantageous alternative to agar for microprop agation and microtuberization.