Optimization of Activated Charcoal on in vitro Growth and Development of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Activated charcoal is often used in plant tissue culture to improve cell growth and development by absorbing the beneficial plant growth promoting substances from the media. Thus the main aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different concentrations of activated charcoal on the recalcitrant varieties of potato. The MS media strength (full and half) did not influence the plant growth and development of potato varieties as both the strengths did equally well in combination with lower concentration of activated charcoal (200mg/l). The use of activated charcoal could be done in a controlled manner (tested concentrations) in order to maintain the endophytes / microplant balance. However, studies in this line need further investigations for lowering the concentrations with a view to avoid the negative effects.