Growing Potato Plants for Cell Death Initiation Studies

Begin by propagating healthy potato plants in test tubes containing stem node tissue culture media. After six to eight weeks, use sterile tweezers and a scalpel to cut out ten 1-centimeter-long explants containing nodes. Transfer the explants to plastic boxes containing Murashige and Skoog medium and grow them in controlled environmental conditions in a growth chamber.

After two weeks, fill some pots with soil to prepare for plant transfer. Use a finger to create a 3 to 4-centimeter deep hole in the soil at the center of the pot. Now, pour water into the hole and allow it to absorb into the soil.

Next, place each plant into the hole, ensuring that the leaves remain above the surface. Carefully cover the roots with soil. Cultivate these plants in a growth chamber in a controlled environment.

In three to four weeks, the plants are ready to be inoculated.