Nineteen locally selected potato lines were screened for water stress
tolerance by measuring the growth parameters in vitro. The stress was achieved
by adding 4% of sorbitol to the growth medium. Plant height and diameter,
leaf area, number, lengt
h and diameter of roots and plant fresh and dry weight
were measured. The results showed a difference in the response of the studied
lines to water stress, cluster analysis, based on the sum of all growth
parameters relative values of the lines showed that the lines were divided into
three groups according to water stress tolerance: The tolerant group, the
moderate tolerant group and the sensitive group. The results indicated the
possibility to use the in vitro method to screen the potato lines for water stress
tolerance.
