EFFECT OF VARIOUS CONCENTRATIONS OF CALCIUM CHLORIDE ON CALLUS GROWTH AND POTASSIUM NUTRITION OF CALLI CULTURES OF POTATO (SOLANUM TUBEROSUM)

Effects of various concentrations of calcium chloride on callus growth and potassium nutrition of calli cultures of Potato (Solanum tuberosum) cv. Cardinal were studied. Calli cultures of Potato were treated with Calcium chloride in 5 different concentrations (0.1; 1; 3; 6; 9mM). Calcium chloride treatments had significant effect on almost all parameters studied. Maximum relative growth rate (0.711 week(-1)) and water content (94.872%) were recorded at 6mM Calcium chloride. The maximum K+ accumulation in dried matter (695.568 mu moles g(-1) Dry Wt.) at 3mM Calcium chloride and maximum Ca++ accumulation in dried matter (450.83 mu moles g(-1) dry wt.) at 9mM Calcium chloride were found. The minimum relative growth rate (0.376 week(-1)), water content (62.611%), K+ accumulation in dried matter (485.98 mu moles g(-1) dry wt.) and Ca++ accumulation in dried matter (187.367 mu moles g(-1) dry wt.) were recorded at 0.1mM Calcium chloride. It is concluded from the experiment that better results were obtained from 3-6mM Calcium chloride treatment on Potato callus.