Changes in cytokinins during initiation and development of potato tubers

Cytokinin-like activity was assayed in stolons and tubers of Solanum tuberosum L. ssp. andigena (Juz. et Buk.) Hawkes cv. 165 grown in pots under controlled environment conditions. The plants were allowed to tuberise without the application of environmental or other external stimuli. The soluble sugar and starch contents of stolon tips and tubers were measured. Starch accumulation was a precise indicator of tuber initiation. Cytokinin-like activity began to increase in tubers with a diameter greater than 7.5 mm and, as assessed on a per tuber basis, was greatest in the largest size-category analysed. However, expressed as a function of fresh and dry weight, activity was greatest in tubers of 15–20 mm in diameter. Increases in cytokinin-like activity occurred subsequent to tuber formation, indicating that the tuberisation stimulus is unlikely to be cytokinin-like in nature.