Effects of paclobutrazol and jasmonic acid on potato minituber production and some plant characteristics in aeroponic cultivation system

In this research, the acclimatized in vitro plants were transferred to the aeroponic system and the effects of paclobutrazol (PBZ) and jasmonic acid (JA) were investigated on the production of potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cvs Agria and Svalan) minitubers. Some plant characteristics were also investigated in this cultivation system, under greenhouse conditions. Plants were foliar sprayed with PBZ (50 and 100 mgL-1) and JA (5 and 10 mgL-1) 30 and 50 days after transplantation (DAT). Significant interactions were observed between plant growth regulators and the time of foliar spraying for plant height, number of minitubers, and fresh and dry weights of minitubers. Also, the results of the analysis of combined experiments showed significant interactions between cultivars, plant growth regulators, and the time of foliar spraying for the number of minitubers and fresh and dry weights of minitubers. The number, fresh and dry weights of minitubers increased by using 5 mgL-1 JA at 30 DAT in cultivar Agria. Also, the use of 5 mgL-1 JA at 30 DAT in cultivar Savalan increased the fresh and dry weights of minitubers. The use of 100 mgL-1 PBZ caused a reduction in plant height and significantly increased the number, fresh and dry weights of minitubers per plant at 50 DAT in cultivar Agria. In cultivar Savalan, 5 mgL-1 JA and 50 mgL-1 PBZ significantly increased the number, fresh and dry weights of minitubers per plant at 50 DAT.