AN EFFICIENT COST EFFECTIVE PROTOCOL FOR MICROPROPAGATION OF POTATO USING NATURAL MENTHA EXTRACT

Present study evaluated the performance of Mentha spicata extract as cost effective substitute for synthetic growth regulator (GA3) and vitamins in Murashige and Skoog medium for micropropagation of potato varieties. Based on the results of pilot study 100ml per liter was selected as most suitable concentration to be used for experiment. Data for various traits viz; root initiation, root length, number of roots, bud proliferation, shoot length, number of shoots, number of nodes and inter-nodal length was recorded. Overall growth response of potato plants on the medium supplemented with Mentha spicata extract was parallel and significantly different from the normal medium without any adverse effect on plant health. Plantlets showed better health, root growth, shoot growth and morphology. The cost of using Mentha spicata extract per plantlet was found to be 75% lower than plantlets grown on standard medium. It is strongly recommended that natural growth substance function as growth stimulator and showed best performance. This strongly suggests that 100ml per liter Merit ha spicata is suitable and cheaper alternative for very expensive and more frequently used constituent (GA3) and vitamins for micro-propagation.