Abstract
To overcome various disadvantages of conventional cul-ture vessels for micropropagation, a novel disposable vessel, the 'Vitron', made of a multi-layered $OTP^{(R)}$ film and supported by a polypropylene frame, was developed. The film possesses superior properties such as: high light transmittance, low water vapor transmittance and thermal stability and in particular, high gas-permeability. Single nodal explants, which were excised from the multiple shoots derived from shoot-tip culture, were cultured in Vitron and polycarbonate vessels on $3\%$ sugar-containing agar on MS medium and placed at 3000 ppm $CO_2$-enrichment at a low photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) ($45{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}\;s^{-1}$). The in vitro and ex vitro growth, and the net photosynthetic rate of in vitro and ex vitro plantlets were significantly enhanced in the Vitron compared to those cultured in a polycarbonate vessel. Explants that were cultured on the same MS medium under low PPFD at various $CO_2$ concentrations were also cultured at 3000 ppm $CO_2$- enrichment at various PPFD: 30, 45, 60, 75 and $90{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}\;s^{-1}$. The best in vitro and ex vitro growth obtained for 3000 ppm $CO_2$-enrichment at $75{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}\;s^{-1}$ PPFD. The novel Vitron vessel, when placed under the two conditions, may replace conventional culture vessels for the successful micropropagation of sweetpotato.