A simple method for mass propagation of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) using a bioreactor without forced aeration.

We have developed a simple system for mass propagation of plant organs using a bioreactor without forced aeration. In this system, explants were cultured in bottles equipped with an air-permeable membrane on the cap and these bottles were slowly rotated on a bottle roller. Microtubers of potato were induced using a two-step culture method. In the first step, potato plantlets were cultured under static conditions. After shoot proliferation, the culture medium was replaced with a medium containing a higher concentration of sucrose and the bottles were rotated at 1 rpm. The number of tubers was clearly increased in this system compared to the culture without rotation. The results indicated that our system can be applied for mass propagation of potato tubers at low cost.