The Effects Of Aeroponics On Inflorescence In Potato

Few flowers available for crossing in some potato cultivars bother breeders in conventional breeding program. The inflorescence of potatoes cultivated by aeroponics was studied in order to investigate the possibility by using aeroponics to promote the formation of flowers. The main contents of the study included: (1) comparisons between plants growing in field and cultivated by aeroponics for numbers of buds setting and flowers, and pollen fertility; (2) comparisons of the hormone contents in buds and flowers on plants growing in these two different environments; and (3) selection of the best medium for growing potato plants. The results were as following.1. By aeroponics, potato inflorescences were promoted effectively, and the number of flower buds and flowers, and pollen fertility were much superior to those of plants growing in field.2. The hormone levels were affected by environmental conditions and nutrition status of plants, which were related to the falling down of flower buds and flowers.3. The number of flowers and pollen fertility were influenced by taking off or not of the stolen, and environmental conditions, and the concentration and components of liquid medium would influence the number of flowers and pollen fertility.4. Based on the result of this study, the best liquid medium was MS + C + B.