Abstract

In Kenya, potato productivity is severely constrained by limited high quality seed tubers; this is precipitated by inefficiencies in various stages in the seed production system. Production of certified seed starts with meristem tip cuttings in the tissue culture. The resultant plantlets are grown in pots in the greenhouse and/or screen-house for production of minitubers (generation 0). In Kenya, production of minitubers through aeroponics systems has been introduced. This paper discusses the production of potato minitubers using aeroponics. Important considerations that should be addressed before setting-up an aeroponics based potato minituber production system are also discussed. Research areas to optimize production and improve field performance of mini-tubers produced through aeroponics are also presented.

Key words: Aeroponics, clonal multiplication, hydroponics, minituber production, rapid multiplication techniques, tissue culture.