EFFECT OF CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE ON POTATO PLANTS GROWTH AND SHOOT TIP NECROSIS, CV.SPUNTA

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of study is to detect the effect of Calcium pantothenate on potatoplants growth and Shoot tip necrosis, cv. Spunta. Calcium pantothenate deficiency had no effect on potato plantlets growth rate, but it increased the percentage of shoot tip necrosis which is eliminated absolutely at calcium pantothenate concentration 3mlg/l, while there is no effect of increasing calcium pantothenate concentration more than 3mlg/l. Shoot tip necrosis scale was 2.6 in case of the absence of Calcium pantothenate, while it was (1.4, 0.6, 0 and 0 in case of Calcium pantothenate concentrations (1,2,3 and 4mg/l respectively). Calcium deficiency leads to an increase in shoot tip necrosis. So, the best concentration of Calcium pantothenate to prevent shoot tip necrosis is 3mg/l, while if its concentration becomes 4mg/l, there is no any toxic effect of Calcium pantothenate. There is no any significant difference among all treatments concerning all growth rate parameters, but, there is an evident significant difference between treatment 4(3 mg/l Calcium pantothenate) and all treatments of Calcium pantothenate except treatment 5(4mg/l Calcium pantothenate) concerning shoot tip necrosis. So, the concentration of (3mg/l Calcium pantothenate) is the best one because it is economically better