Investigation of the effect of culture system, cultivar and different nutrient solutions on some growth and physiological parameters of potato plant

Aeroponic is a new technology for potato minituber production. In order to recognition of the suitable nutrient solution and potato variety for minituber production in aeroponics in comparison with classic hydroponics, a factorial experiment was carried out with three factors of culture systems (aeroponics and hydroponics), nutrient solutions (Chang et al., 2008; APCoAB and commercial nutrient solution of Esfahan), and three cultivars of potato (Marfana, Santana and Morn). Leaf number, leaf area, stolon length, shoot and roots dry mass, photosynthetical pigments content, photochemical quantum yield of PS II photochemistry (Fv/Fm), photosynthetical performance index (PI) were investigated. Results showed that plants growing in aeroponics exhibited a considerable increase in growth and physiological parameters regardless of cultivar and nutrient solution, compared to classic hydroponic system. It might be due to the better nutrient availability and aeration of roots in this system. Also, root and shoot dry mass of plants and photosynthetic pigment contents were higher in aeroponic than classic hydroponic grown plants. In addition, plants nourished with Esfahan economical nutrient solution had higher vegetative growth compared to Chang et al. (2008) and APCoAB nutrient solution, which was due to the higher N in this solution.