AUTOMATED HYDROPONIC SYSTEM FOR POTATO MICROTUBER PRODUCTION IN VITRO

摘要

An Automated Hydroponic System (AHS) for large-scale micropropagation and subsequent induction of disease-free microtubers in vitro from single node cuttings/ axillary shoot cuttings in potato. This system comprises a specially designed sterilisable polycarbonate hydroponic culture chamber, its stainless steel (SS) cover lid with various retrofitting port extensions (for culture inoculation, medium dispensing, sterile aeration and sterile venting), a 4 litre or higher volume polypropylene media reservoir (with a sterilisable polypropylene filling/ venting cap with thermoplastic elastomer gasket, a medium dispensing port and a sterile venting port), 0.2 j,i PTFE vent microfilters, autoclavable silicone tubings, a computer-controlled reversible and variable speed programmable peristaltic pump, a single-head air pump, a programmable timer and a computer with support software for system operation and data interface. The inlets of the medium dispensing ports of the hydroponic chamber and medium reservoir are fitted with 20"-long silicone tubes with polypropylene barbed retrofit at their ends. The outlets of the medium dispensing ports of the hydroponic chamber and medium reservoir are connected by a 4'-long silicone tube, which, at its centre, is mounted on pump-head of the peristaltic pump. The peristaltic pump is connected to the computer through RS-232 interface. The sterile vent ports of the hydroponic chamber and medium reservoir is fitted with 0.2 µ PTFE vent microfilters at the outlets and with 8"-long silicone tubes at the inlets. The sterile aeration port of the hydroponic chamber is vertically fitted with a 0.2 µ PTFE vent microfilter, which, in turn, is connected to the single-head air pump through a silicone tube. The air pump is connected to the programmable timer. The computer and the programmable timer are connected to the external power source through a UPS.