“…First of all, disease-free, high-quality potato seeds can be obtained; and, compared to other propagation techniques, microtubers are more robust and easier to handle, which favors automatic planting processes (Dhital & Lim, 2012;Motallebi et al, 2013). Secondly, microtubers facilitate the maintenance and exchange of genetic material because small samples can be preserved, and subsequently sent in aseptic conditions (virus-free), even to countries with strong phytosanitary regulations (López, Sánchez, Mora, & Martínez, 2012). Thirdly, they have also been experimental research tools in many areas including plant metabolism, germplasm selection and evaluation, transformation, somatic hybridization, and in vitro selection of agronomically important characters such as maturity, abiotic stress tolerance, among others (Dobránszki et al, 2008).…”