10th U6+ Consortium of African Universities International Conference

Limited access to quality planting materials, slow conventional multiplication methods, and persistent pest and disease challenges continue to constrain the productivity of potato in Kenya. On the other hand, commercial plant tissue culture is effective for producing disease-free, true-to-type planting materials for high-value crops. This study was undertaken to determine the viability of tissue culture micropropagation and aeroponics in production of potato. The use of rooted apical cuttings (RACs) was also investigated. Tissue cultures using MS media and supplemented with BAP, IBA was used in the tissue culture lab at the University of Eldoret, Kenya. Six varieties of potato were generated under 16 hours light and 8 hours darkness. Acclimatisation was done in cells of 5mm diameter and depth after 2 weeks in culture, when the plantlets had developed 3 to 4 nodes and roots were visible. Cost and sales comparisons were made to determine the viability of the enterprise. The success rate was over 95% both at TC and acclimatisation stages. Minituber production was variable depended on varieties, with Eldo Amani, Eldo Baraka, Sherekea and Unica varieties producing the highest number of minitubers per plant at 70 to 100 in 6 months. The cost-benefit ratio of 1.6 was realized. This demonstrates the commercial viability of integrating tissue culture and aeroponic technologies using potato as case studies. Beyond revenue generation, the enterprise supports research, experiential learning, innovation, and technology transfer. The model demonstrates that commercial plant tissue culture integrated with aeroponic minituber production is both technically feasible and financially viable, providing a scalable framework for university resource mobilization and sustainable agricultural development.