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