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Possible mechanisms of size hierarchy among tubers on one stem of a potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plant

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Summary

The tubers on one potato stem vary greatly in size and their size distribution may be described by their number and their average size and its variation. These components are mutually and closely related.

The variation is partly caused by stolon characteristics, including their date of initiation, position and size. Tuber size is therefore partly determined before tuberization. Tuber-specific factors, such as the position and activity of the tuber initial also play a role, but the date of initiation of an individual tuber is not crucial. Later on, during tuber bulking, the activity of enzymes involved in starch metabolism, the levels of hormones, the mineral composition and the turgor potential are associated with the tuber growth rate.

The growth characteristics of individual tubers may also vary since they are exposed to different conditions because of differences in position or growing period.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Field Crops and Grassland Science, Wageningen Agricultural University, Haarweg 333, 6709 RZ, Wageningen, the Netherlands

    P. C. Struik

  2. Department of Plant Physiology, Wageningen Agricultural University, Arboretumlaan 4, 6703 BD, Wageningen, the Netherlands

    D. Vreugdenhil

  3. Centre for Agrobiological Research, CABO, P.O. Box 14, 6700 AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands

    A. J. Haverkort

  4. Research Station for Arable Farming and Field Production of Vegetables, PAGV, P.O. Box 430, 8200 AK, Lelystad, the Netherlands

    C. B. Bus

  5. ROPTA/ZPC, P.O. Box 2, 9123 ZR, Metslawier, the Netherlands

    R. Dankert

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  1. P. C. Struik
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Struik, P.C., Vreugdenhil, D., Haverkort, A.J. et al. Possible mechanisms of size hierarchy among tubers on one stem of a potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plant. Potato Res 34, 187–203 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02358041

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