Cytokinin Activity in Stolons and Tubers of Solanum tuberosum during the Period of Tuberization

In water-culture experiments with potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Ostara), changes in cytokinin activity in the stolon tips and newly formed tubers during tuberization were studied. Tuberization was induced by withdrawing nitrogen from the nutrient solution. — The cytokinin activity was low in the stolon tips prior to tuberization, but increased considerably in both stolon tips and young tubers during tuberization. At the same time qualitative changes in the cytokinin spectrum occurred. These qualitative changes are reversible if ‘regrowth’ of young tubers is brought about by a sudden high supply of nitrogen. — Despite the close correlation between tuberization and cytokinin activity, it is assumed that cytokinins are not directly responsible for the onset of tuberization, although they play an important role in tuber growth.