Tuberization in Potato at High Temperatures: Promotion by Disbudding

The role of the terminal and axillary buds, as presumptive organsof gibberellin synthesis, in the control of tuberization inpotato (Solanum tuberosum L., cv. Sebago) at high temperatureswas studied. Decapitation alone strongly promoted the outgrowthof axillary buds, but did not promote tubenzation. When growthof the axillary buds was suppressed by the use of chemical pruningagents (MH, TIBA or 1-decanol), tuberization was promoted. Manualremoval of the buds promoted tuberization to a similar extent.The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the budsare major sites of gibberellin synthesis in the potato, andthat high temperatures stimulate the synthesis of gibberellinsand their export to the stolons, where they inhibit tuber formation. Solarium tuberosum L., potato, tuberization, temperature, disbudding, chemical pruning, gibberellins     

Tuberization in Potato at High Temperatures: Gibberellin Content and Transport from Buds

Warm temperatures (35°C day/30°C night) which inhibittuberization in potato (Solanum tuberosum L., cv. Sebago) increasedgibberellin activity in crude extracts from buds, but not frommature leaves, as determined by the lettuce hypocotyl bioassay.Changes in the growth of tubers and stolons indicate the occurrenceof basipetal movement of GA₃ applied to the terminal bud ora mature leaf. ¹⁴C labelling from GA₃ or mevalonic acid injectedjust below the terminal bud was recovered in the lower shoot,stolons and tubers, but the amount transported was greater atcool temperatures (20/15°C). It is concluded that high temperaturespromote the synthesis of gibberellin in the buds rather thantransport to the stolons. Solanum tuberosum L., potato, tuberization, gibberellin     

Tuberization in Potato at High Temperatures: Interaction between Temperature and Irradiance

Potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L., cv. Sebago) responded similarlyto high temperatures and low irradiance by diverting dry matterto the shoots rather than the tubers, and changes were notedin a range of morphological characteristics. It is proposedthat the effect of both high temperature and low irradianceis brought about by the increased production of a growth substance,possibly gibberellin, which inhibits tuber formation, and thattuber yield is determined by the balance between temperatureand irradiance. Solanum tuberosum L., potato, tuberization, temperature, irradiance, gibberellin     

Effects of High Air and Soil Temperature Stress on Growth and Tuberization in Solanum tuberosum

Potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L.) were grown at differentair and soil temperatures to determine the effects of high-temperaturestress on root, tuber, and shoot growth. Cooling the soil (17–27C) at high air temperatures (30–40 C) relieved noneof the visible symptoms of heat stress on shoot growth; norwas the degree of induction to tuberize in leaves increased,as reflected in tuberization of leaf-bud cuttings. Heating thesoil (27–35 C) at cool (17–27 C) air temperatureshad no apparent detrimental effect on shoot growth or inductionof leaves to tuberize. However, in each case hot soil largelyeliminated tuber development. In one experiment stolons grewup out of the hot soil and formed aerial tubers upon reachingthe cool air. When leaf-bud cuttings from induced plants wereused as a model system, high soil temperatures inhibited tuberdevelopment from the buried leaf buds, in the absence of anyroot growth. Apparently the induction of leaves to tuberizeis affected principally by air rather than soil temperature,but expression of the signal to tuberize can be blocked by highsoil temperature. Solanum tuberosum L., potato, temperature stress, soil temperature, tuberization     

Enhancement of Tuberization of Axillary Shoot Buds of Potato (Solarium tuberosum L.) Cultivars Cultured In Vitro

Factors controlling growth and tuberization of axillary budsin shoots of plantlets of potato (Solarium tuberosum L.) culturedin vitro were investigated. Correlative inhibition restrainedgrowth and tuberization of the axillary buds. Exposure of intactplantlets for various periods (4 to 48 h) to low (2 or 12C)or high (30 C) temperatures as comparedto 18C, did not alleviatecorrelative inhibition. Removal of the apical part of the shoot,the roots or both was generally ineffective Elevating sucroseconcentration from 30 to 80 g dm^–3 promoted tuberizationon axillary buds, and the cytokinin 6-(-dimethylallylamino)purine (2iP), alleviated correlative inhibition and enhancedtuberization in intact plantlets. In the whole plantlet mostof the tubers were formed on the basal nodes, however, oncecorrelative inhibition was eliminated by the dissection of theshoot to single node sections, tubers were formed on every axillarybud. The single most effective factor inducing tuberizationin single node sections was the growth retardant ancymidol,an inhibitor of giberellin biosynthesis. Key words: Potato, Solanum tuberosum L., in vitro tuberization, correlative inhibition     

Tuberization in Potato at High Temperatures: Responses to Gibberellin and Growth inhibitors

The responses of potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L., cv. Sebago)to high temperatures (32 day/28 C night or 32/18 °C) andgibberellin are similar, in that they promote haulm growth andsuppress tuber production, whereas low temperatures (22/18 °C)abscisic acid and CCC have the opposite effect, promoting tuberproduction and reducing the growth of the haulms. The inhibitoryeffect of the high temperatures on tuber production, under aphotoperiod of 14 h, was almost completely reversed in theseexperiments by the application of CCC, and partly reversed byABA. Single-leaf cuttings from plants grown at the various temperaturesand chemical treatments responded in the same way as the wholeplant. It is suggested that both haulm growth and tuber initiationare influenced by a common hormonal control, and that temperatureexerts its influence by altering the balance between the levelsof endogenous gibberellins and inhibitors. These substancesapparently act directly on the stolon tip, rather than throughtheir general influence on haulm growth. Solanum tuberosum L., potato, tuberization, temperature response, gibberellin, abscisic acid, 2-chloroethyltrimethylammonium chloride (CCC)     

Effects of the Temperature of the Rooting Zone on the Growth and Development of Roots of Potato (Solanum tuberosum)

In solution culture the effect of optimal (20 °C) and supra-optimal(30 °C) root-zone temperatures on root growth and root morphologyof six potato clones (Solanum tuberosum L spp) was studied Growthwas compared with sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L) and cassava(Manihot esculenta Crantz) Significant genotypical differencesin the responses of potato roots to supra-optimal temperatureswere observed, indicating the potential for selecting heat tolerantpotato clones In both heat tolerant and heat sensitive clones,the size of the root system was reduced by supra-optimal root-zonetemperature This was principally a result of decreased numberand length of lateral roots The first symptom of heat damagewas a reduction in the rate of cell division, followed by cessationof root elongation Bending of the apical root-zone togetherwith the formation of root hairs on the inner (concave) andlateral roots on the outer (convex) side were other symptoms,these coincided with the loss of starch granules in the root-cap Potato, genotypical differences, root morphology, root growth, temperature, Solanum tuberosum L     

Factors Controlling the Basipetal Pattern of Tuberization in Induced Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Cuttings

Potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L. cvs Chippewa and Katahdin)were grown in a glasshouse under continuous light. Various numbersof long (16 h) nights were given to these plants and stem cuttingswere taken. Treatments were applied to the cuttings, which werethen placed in a mist bench under continuous light and examinedfor tuberization after 12 days. The general tendency for the strongest tuberization to occurat the most basipetal nodes, which is commonly seen with intactpotato plants, was also found on stem cuttings. This patterncould not be attributed primarily to orientation with respectto gravity, proximity to the mother tuber, or age of buriedbuds. Buried buds farthest from active leaves tended to tuberizethe most strongly. However, distance of the buried bud fromstem exposed to light may have been of equal or greater importance. potato, Solanum tuberosum L., stem cuttings, tuberization     

Cell Cycling and the Fate of Potato Buds

The cell cycling characteristics of the regions of the apicalmeristems of underground shoots and buds of Solanum tuberosumL. were investigated by stathmokinesis and labelling. The apicaldomes of orthotropic shoots produce cells at twice the elementalrate of those of stolons, and their youngest leaf primordiaat twelve times the rate. Changing the fate of stolons so thatthey will become orthotropic by decapitating the tuber sproutsthat bear them results within 24 h in a general increase incell production especially in the leaf primordia. Axillary buds on tuber sprouts induced to become precursorsof orthotropic shoots instead of stolons undergo a spectacularincrease in cell division within 24 h in all regions, especiallyin the primordia and bud anlagen where the rate increases 20-foldor more. The summit is slower to react than other regions, but,by 24 h, its rate of cell division increases 11-fold and itis contributing 14 cells per day to the flanks from its 80 cells. In all the axillary buds the rate of mitosis in the summit ishalf that of the flanks of the apical dome, but, in both stolonsand orthotropic underground shoots, the rate is higher in thesummit than in the flanks or rib meristem. The results are discussed in relation to what is known of cellcycling changes after floral evocation. Solanum tuberosum L., potato, fate, cell division, apical meristem, stathmokinesis     

Interaction between rhizobia and potato tissues10

Several cultivars of Solanum tuberosum L., the potato, weregrown on tissue culture media and their roots inoculated withstrains of rhizobia known to infect legumes at root junctionsor between epidermal cells. Infection incidence and severityshowed considerable cultivar/bacterial strain interaction. Bacteriaspread through intercellular spaces and invaded cells in a non-structuredway: some infections penetrated to the root xylem. There wasno evidence that potato root cells produced nod-inducing factorsand nitrogenase activity was not detected. In some host/rhizobialcombinations outgrowths were formed on roots. These varied fromloose infected callus tissue at the junctions of lateral roots,to modified lateral roots of limited growth which showed somecolonization by rhizobia. Key words: Solarium tuberosum L, potato, glycoprotein, immunogold labelling, rhizobia, flavonoids     

The Effect of Gibberellic Acid on Starch Breakdown in Sprouting Tubers of Solanum tuberosum L.

The treatment of potato tubers with 150 µmol dm^–3gibberellic acid (GA₃) stimulated starch breakdown and hexoseaccumulation in tuber tissues and the transfer of dry matterto stems. These effects could not be accounted for by enhancedactivities of starch phosphorylase, amylase and acid invertase.Indeed enzyme activities either declined or remained relativelyconstant as starch degradation and hexose accumulation proceeded.Changes in the rate of starch depletion were related to changesin sink strength and sink type, the onset of tuber initiationin controls causing the rate of starch degradation to exceedthat in GA₃-treated tissues, in which tuberization was inhibited. Solanum tuberosum L., gibberellic acid, starch breakdown     

Initial Anatomical Changes Associated with Tuber Formation on Single-node Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Cuttings

One-node potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. ‘Katahdin’)cuttings were used to study early anatomical changes associatedwith tuberization. Starch deposition and the percentage frequencyof cells in mitosis increased in the medullary region of thebud within 1 d after cutting, whereas increases in average cellsize were not detected until 4 d after cutting. Starch depositionand mitosis were the earliest detectable changes in anatomyassociated with tuber initiation. Potato, Solanum tuberosum L., tuber initiation, cuttings, cell enlargement, mitosis, starch deposition     

One-Leaf Cuttings as a Model to Study Second Growth in the Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Plant

Second growth is an important physiological disorder of thepotato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plant. A model system to studysecond growth was developed using one-leaf cuttings. Photoperiod,temperature, decapitation and leaf removal treatments were carriedout on the plants from which the cuttings were taken and onthe cuttings themselves. Tuberized, one-leaf cuttings takenfrom moderately-induced plants and exposed to 35 °C afterleaf removal showed 95% second growth within 10 d after treatmentinitiation. Conditions that promoted second growth also reducedstarch and dry-matter content, even in tubers that did not developsecond growth. Cuttings, second growth, potato, Solanum tuberosum L, cv, Bintje, Solanum tuberosum L. cv., Désirée, Solanum tuberosum L. cv., Russet Burbank, tuberization, starch content, dry-matter, heat, photoperiod, decapitation, leaf removal     

Initial Anatomical Changes Associated with Tuber Formation on Single-node Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Cuttings: A Re-evaluation

Cell division and cell expansion during early stages of tuberdevelopment were studied using developing axillary buds on single-leafcuttings from potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Cuttings takenfrom plants induced to form tubers, by short day (SD) treatment,were compared with cuttings from non-induced (long day, LD)plants. In the apical zone of the buds, cell division occurredfrom the first day after cutting, in both LD and SD cuttings.The planes of these divisions were transverse, associated withelongation of the buds. At day 5, a new orientation of celldivision was observed in the subapical zone of SD cuttings only.These divisions were longitudinal, associated with radial growth.Cell expansion occurred in both SD and LD cuttings, and wasnot uniquely related to the onset of tuber formation. Copyright1999 Annals of Botany Company Solanum tuberosum L., potato, tuber formation, cell division, cell expansion.     

Shoot, Stolon, and Tuber Formation on Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Cuttings in Response to Photoperiod

The intensity of “tuberization stimulus” in potato shoots (Solanum tuberosum L.) can be assessed from cuttings containing one or more leaves. Cuttings maintained in a mist chamber under long days will form tubers from underground buds if prior to taking the cutting the leaves received sufficient exposure to photoperiods less than the critical photoperiod. The greatest tendency to tuberize was found in cuttings that consisted of a single, fully expanded leaf and its subtended bud. Grafts showed that genetical differences in critical photoperiod resided in properties of the leaf. Short days before cutting tended to shift growth from above ground buds of two-node cuttings to below ground buds, even if the number of short days was insufficient for tuber induction. As few as 6 short days reduced growth of shoots at the upper bud and increased underground growth of shoots and stolons.     

Ornithine decarboxylase and arginine decarboxylase activities in meristematic tissues of tomato and potato plants

Ornithine decarboxylase and arginine decarboxylase activities were measured in roots and buds of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Pearson ms-35) and potato (Solanum tuberosum cv. Desire) plants. In both tomato and potato, the activity of ornithine decarboxylase was the highest at the root tip, decreasing proximally. The same was true for potato buds. In vegetative buds of tomato, the highest activity was found in the youngest leaves. The older the leaf, the lower was orithine decarboxylase activity. Arginine decarboxylase, on the other hand, did not display a similar gradient. These findings are in accordance with the suggestion that in tomato and potato elevated ornithine decarboxylase activity is associated with intense mitotic activity.     

Effects of Temperature and Photoperiod on Assimilate Partitioning in Potato Plants

The effects of temperature and photoperiod on d. wt partitioningand ¹⁴C translocation were studied in three potato varieties.High temperatures and long days enhanced plant growth in termsof plant height and number of leaves, and also affected d. wtpartitioning between the plant organs. However, no temperatureeffect was noted on total plant d. wt, nor on the export of¹⁴C from the source leaf. Translocation of ¹⁴C to the vegetativeorgans (leaves and stems) was greater at higher temperatures,while translocation to the tubers was less under these conditions.We suggest that, under the temperature regimes studied, themain effect of high temperature is on assimilate partitioningand not on total plant productivity. Differences in responseto high temperatures were observed among varieties, with Norchipshowing the least and Up-to-Date showing the most sensitivity. High temperature, partitioning of assimilates, ¹⁴C-translocation, potato, Solanum tuberosum var. Desirèe, Solanum tuberosum var. Norchip, Solanum tuberosum var. Up-to-Date     

Studies on the carbon dioxide promotion and ethylene inhibition of tuberization in potato explants cultured in vitro

Ethylene inhibited the tuberization of etiolated potato (Solanum tuberosum L. var. Red La Soda) sprout sections cultured in vitro. Carbon dioxide did not overcome the C₂H₄ inhibition but it was required for normal tuberization. Ethylene totally prevented root formation and development. It inhibited stolon elongation, and caused thickening and diageotropical growth of the stolon. In addition, C₂H₄ prevented the accumulation of both starch and red anthocyanin which are always present in a tuber. Ethylene also inhibited the kinetin-increased tuberization of sprout sections.     

Effect of Leaf Age and Shading on Photosynthesis in Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)

The effects of leaf age and of shading on photosynthetic rateand on other leaf parameters of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)were studied using a portable gas exchange system. A rapid decreasein the rate of photosynthesis during leaf senescence was observed.This was accompanied by an increase in stomatal resistance,and as a result a fairly constant level of sub-stomatal CO₂concentration was maintained at all leaf ages. The reductionin the photosynthetic rate in older leaves was therefore assumedto be essentially mesophyllic in origin, whereas the stomatalresponse was probably secondary. Canopy density significantly affected the rate of photosyntheticreduction with leaf age. Leaves maintained under high radiationintensities manifested a slower decline in their photosyntheticrate, especially in the early stages of their senescence, thanleaves kept under shade conditions. The latter leaves were foundto be more adapted to low radiation intensities, as indicatedby changes in their chlorophyll a:b ratio and specific leafweight Solanum tuberosum L, potato, photosynthetic rate, mesophyll, stomata, leaf age, radiation intensity, chlorophyll a:b ratio     

Polyamines and Morphogenesis - Effects of Methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone)

The effects of methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG), an inhibitor of polyamine biosynthesis were studied on tuberization and cellular polyamine content using in vitro Solanum tuberosum (cv Binjte) plants. When MGBG was added to the culture medium, it produced a partial inhibition of the growth of stems and leaves; it totally blocked rhizogenesis and strongly stimulated tuber formation. Morphogenetic effects of MGBG were correlated to a 40 % decrease in free putrescine, spermidine, spermine content of the leaves and to a 28 % decrease in spermidine titer of the stems. In the tubers, this inhibitor did not change the free polyamine titer but increased by up to 85 % the titer of conjugated putrescine, spermidine, spermine. When the plants were grown in the dark, MGBG produced, like benzyladenine, a stimulation of the rate of tuberization and enhanced the content of conjugated polyamines in the tuber. These results support the hypothesis that polyamines play an important role in the morphogenesis of potato plants. The role of polyamine conjugation in tuber development is discussed.