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