Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Tuberization

  • Chapter
Plant Growth Substances

  • 446 Accesses

Abstract

The initiation and subsequent growth of tubers in potato plants results from a series of biochemical and morphological changes which occur above and below the ground. Early investigators attributed the process of tuber formation to the existence of surplus carbohydrates. Kraus and Kraybill (1918) established the nutritional theory. They studied changes in the C/N ratio in relationship to the growth of tomato plants. The first person to introduce a form of the nutritional theory as it applies to tuberization was Wellinsiek (1929). He suggested that the causal factor of tuberization was the concentration of metabolites from photosynthesis, especially the carbohydrate-to-nitrogen ratio. Others have supported this theory (Werner 1934; Milthorpe 1963). Under unfavorable conditions such as high temperature and low light intensity large amounts of assimilates are used for shoot and root growth, thereby inhibiting tuberization. If tubers are already present during unfavorable conditions they can be totally reabsorbed if these conditions persist. More recently, a considerable amount of attention has been directed toward the effects of plant growth substances on tuberization, now called the hormonal theory. The first report suggesting the existence of a specific factor produced under favorable photoperiods was by Driver and Hawkes (1943). This factor was proposed to be transmitted to the stolons where it induced tuberization. It was not until Gregory’s classical grafting experiments (Gregory 1954, 1956) that experimental evidence was presented supporting the hormonal theory of tuberization. Based on grafting experiments he postulated the existence of a specific tuber-forming substance which was produced under certain conditions of photoperiod and temperature and transmissible through graft unions and was not a major metabolite, such as a carbohydrate. Since this time there have been a number of other studies supporting this theory (Chapman 1958; Kumar and Wareing 1973, 1974; Ewing 1987).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Arteca, R. N., Poovaiah, B. W., and Smith, O. E. (1979). “Changes in carbon fixation, tuberization and growth induced by CO2 application to the root zone of potato plants”. Science 205: 1279–1280.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arteca, R. N., Poovaiah, B. W., and Smith, O. E. (1980). “Use of high performance liquid chromatography for the determination of endogenous hormone levels in Solanum tuberosum L. subjected to CO2 enrichment of the root zone”. Plant Physiol. 65: 1216–1219.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Balamani, V., Veluthambi, K., and Poovaiah, B. W. (1986). “Effect of calcium on tuberization in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)”. Plant Physiol. 80: 856–858.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bevan, M., Goldsborough, A., Jefferson, R., Sheerman, S., Iturriaga, G., and Atkinson, E. (1988). “Transcriptional regulation of genes during potato tuberization”. Heredity 61: 280.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bialek, K. (1974). “Preliminary study of the activity of gibberellin-like substances in potato tubers”. Z. Pflanzenphysiol. 71: 370–372.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Biran, I., Gur, I., and Halevy, A. H. (1972). “The relationship between exogenous growth inhibitors and endogenous levels of ethylene and tuberization of dahlias”. Physiol. Plant. 27: 226–230.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Booth, A. (1963). “The role of growth substances in the development of stolons”. In The Growth of the Potato, eds., J. D. Ivins and F. L. Milthorpe. Butterworths, London, pp. 99–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Catchpole, A. H. and Hillman, J. (1969). “Effect of ethylene on tuber initiation in Solanum tuberosum L”. Nature 223: 1387.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, H. W. (1958). “Tuberization in the potato plant”. PhysioL Plant. 11: 215–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Claver, F. K. (1970). “The effects of abscisic acid on tuberization of potato sprouts in vitro”. Phyton Rev. Int. Bot. Exp. 27: 25–29.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Coutrez-Geerinck, D. (1969). “Tuberization of potatoes under different culture conditions”. Ann. PhysioL Veg. Univ. Bruxelles 3: 63–84.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cutter, E. G. (1978). “Structure and development of the potato plant”. In The Potato Crop, ed., P. M. Harris. Halsted Press, John Wiley & Sons, New York, pp. 70–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Driver, C. M. and Hawkes, J. G. (1943). “Photoperiodism in the potato. Part I. General. Part II. The photoperiodic reactions of some South American potatoes”. In Tech. Comm. Imp. Bur. Plant Breeding and Genetics,London School Agric, Cambridge, U.K.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dutta, T. R. and Kaley, D. M. (1968). “Effects of 2-chloroethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride and gibberellic acid on potato growing during winter at Simla” Ind. J. Agric. Sci. 38: 140–148.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dyson, P. W. (1965). “Effects of gibberellic acid and (2-chloroethyl)-trimethylammonium chloride on potato growth and development”. J Sci. Food and Agric. 16: 542–549.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dyson, P. W. and Humphries, E. C. (1966). “Modification of growth habit of Majestic potato by growth regulators applied at different times”. Applied BioL 58: 171–182.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • El-Antably, M. M. M., Wareing, P. F., and Hillman, J. (1967). “Some physiological responses to D,L abscisin (dormin)”. Planta 73: 74–90.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ewing, E. E. (1985). “Cuttings as simplified models of the potato plant”. In Potato Physiology, ed., P. H. Li. Academic Press, New York, pp. 153–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ewing, E. E. (1987). “The role of hormones in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuberization”. In Plant Hormones and Their Role in Plant Growth and Development, ed., P. J. Davies. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Boston, pp. 515–538.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Forsline, P. L. and Langille, A. R. (1975). “Endogenous cytokinins in Solanum tuberosum as influenced by photoperiod and temperature”. PhysioL Plant. 34: 75–77.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gifford, R. M. and Moorby, J. (1967). “The effect of CCC on the initiation of potato tubers”. Eur. Potato J. 10: 235–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gregory, L. E. (1954). “Some factors controlling tuber formation in the potato plant”. Ph.D. Dissertation, Univ. of Calif., Los Angeles.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gregory, L. E. (1956). “Some factors for tuberization in the potato”. Ann. Bot. 41: 281–288.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harmey, M. A., Crowley, M. P., and Clinch, P. E. M. (1966). “The effect of growth regulators on tuberization of cultured stem pieces of Solanum tuberosum L.”. Eur. Potato J. 9: 146–151.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, B. M. R., Crothers, S. H., Evans, N. E., and Selby, C. (1991). “The use of growth-retardants to improve microtuber formation by potato (Solanum tuberosum)”. Plant Cell, Tissue Organ Culture 27: 59–64.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, S. D., Sonnewald, U., and Willmitzer, L. (1993). “Characterization of a gene that is expressed in leaves at higher levels upon tuberization in potato and upon flowering in tobacco”. Planta 189: 593–596.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jolivet, E. (1969). “Physiologie de la tuberization”. Ann. Physiol. Vég. 11: 265–301.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koda, Y. and Kikuta, Y. (1991). “Possible involvement of jasmonic acid in tuberization of yam plants”. Plant Cell Physiol. 32: 629–633.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koda, Y., Kikuta, Y., Kitahara, T., Nishi, T. and Mori, K. (1992b). “Comparisons of various biological activities of stereoisomers of methyl jasmonate”. Phytochemistry 31: 1111–1114.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koda, Y. and Okazawa, Y. (1983a). “Characteristic changes in the levels of endogenous plant hormones in relation to the onset of potato tuberization”. Japan. J. Crop Sci. 52: 592–597.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koda, Y. and Okazawa, Y. (1983b). “Influences of environmental, hormonal, and nutritional factors on potato tuberization in vitro”. Japan. J. Crop Sci. 52: 582–591.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koda, Y., Takahashi, K., and Kikuta, Y. (1992a). “Potato tuber-inducing activities of salicyclic acid and related compounds”. J. Plant Growth Regulation 11: 215–219.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kraus, E. J. and Kraybill, H. R. (1918). “Vegetation and reproduction with special reference to the tomato”. Ore. Agr. Exptl. Sta. Bull. 149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krauss, A. and Marschner, H. (1982). “Influence of nitrogen nutrition, daylength, and temperature on contents of gibberellic and abscisic acid and on tuberization in potato plants”. Potato Res. 25: 13–21.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, D. and Wareing, P. F. (1973). “Studies on tuberization in Solanum andigene. I. Evidence for the existence and movement of a specific tuberization stimulus”. New PhytoL 72: 283–287.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, D. and Wareing, P. F. (1974). “Studies on tuberization of Solanum andigena. II. Growth hormones and tuberization”. New PhytoL 73: 833–840.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Langille, A. R. (1972). “Effects of (2-chloroethyl) phosphonic acid on rhizome and tuber formation in the potato, Solanum tuberosum”. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 97: 305–308.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Langille, A. R. and Forsline, P. L. (1974). “Influence of temperature and photoperiod on cytokinin pools in the potato Solanum tuberosum L. ”. Plant Sci. Lett. 2: 189–191.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence, C. H. and Barker, W. G. (1963). “A study of tuberization in the potato Solanum tuberosum”. Am. Potato J. 40: 349–356.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Levy, D., Seabrook, J. E. A., and Coleman, S. (1993). “Enhancement of tuberization of axillary shoot buds of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars cultured in vitro”. J. Exp. Botany 44: 381–386.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lovell, P. and Booth, A. (1967). “Effects of gibberellic acid on growth, tuber formation and carbohydrate distribution in Solanum tuberosum L.”. New PhytoL 66: 525–537.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martinez, L. and Tizio, R. (1991). “Interaction of glucose and gibberellins on tuberization of potato plantlets (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivated in vitro”. Phyton-International J. Exp. Botany 52: 83–88.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matsuura, H., Yoshihara, T., Ichihara, A., Kikuta, Y., and Koda, Y. (1993). “Tuber-forming substances in Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.)”. Bioscience Biotech. Biochem. 57: 1253–1256.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mauk, C. S. and Langille, A. R. (1978). “Physiology of tuberization in Solanum tuberosum L.: cis-zeatin riboside in the potato plant–Its identification and changes in endogenous levels as influenced by temperature and photoperiod”. Plant Physiol. 62: 438–442.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McGrady, J. J. and Ewing, E. E. (1990). “Potato cuttings as models to study maturation and senescence”. Potato Research 33: 97–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melis, R. J. M. and van Staden, J. (1984). “Tuberization and hormones”. Z. Pflanzenphysiol. 133: 271–283.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milthorpe, F. L. (1963). “Some aspects of plant growth. An introductory survey”. In The Growth of the Potato, eds., J. D. Ivins and F. L. Milthorpe. Butterworths, London, PP. 3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mingo-Castel, A. M., Negm, F. B., and Smith, O. E. (1974). “Effect of carbon dioxide and ethylene on tuberization of isolated potato stolons cultured in vitro”. Plant Physiol. 53: 789–801.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mingo-Castel, A. M., Smith, O. E. and Kumamoto, J. (1976). “Studies on the carbon dioxide promotion and ethylene inhibition of tuberization in potato explants cultured in vitro”. Plant Physiol 57: 480–485.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Okazawa, Y. (1959). “Studies on the occurrence of natural gibberellin and its effect on the tuber formation of potato plants”. Proc. Crop Sci. Soc. Japan 28: 129–133.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Okazawa, Y. (1960). “Studies on the relation between the tuber formation of potato and its natural gebberellin content”. Proc. Crop Sci. Soc. Japan 29: 121–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okazawa, Y. (1967). “Physiological studies on the tuberization of potato plants”. J. Fac. Agr. Hokkaido Univ. Sapporo 55: 267–336.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okazawa, Y. (1970). “Physiological significance of enodgenous cytokinin occurring in potato tubers during their developmental period”. Nippon Sakumotsu Gakkai Kiji 39: 171–176.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ooms, G. and Lenton, J. R. (1985). “T-DNA Genes to study plant development. Precocious tuberization and enhanced cytokinins in A. tumefaciens transformed potato”. Plant Mol. Biol. 5: 205–212.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paiva, E., Lister, R. M., and Park, W. D. (1983). “Induction and accumulation of major tuber proteins of potato in stems and petioles”. Plant Physiol. 71: 161–168.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer, C. E. and Barker, W. G. (1973). “Influence of ethylene and kinetin on tuberization and enzyme activity in Solanum tuberosum L. stolons cultured in vitro”. Ann. Bot. 37: 85–93.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer, C. E. and Smith, O. E. (1969). “Cytokinins and tuber initiation in the potato Solanum tuberosum L. ”. Nature 221: 279–280.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer, C. E. and Smith, O. E. (1970). “Effect of kinitin on tuber formation on isolated stolons of Solanum tuberosum L. cultured in vitro”. Plant Cell Physiol. 11: 303–314.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, D. R. (1975). “Effect of CO2 enriched atmosphere on tuberization and growth of the potato”. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 100: 431–434.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pelacho, A. M. and Mingo-Castel, A. M. (1991). “Jasmonic acid induces tuberization of potato stolons cultured in vitro”. Plant Physiol. 97: 1253–1255.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pittman, U. J. (1972). “Biomagnetic responses in potatoes”. Can. J. Plant Sci. 52: 727–733.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Protacio, C. M. and Flores, H. E. (1992). “The role of polyamines in potato tuber formation”. In Vitro Cellular and Dev. Biol. 28: 81–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seabrook, J. E. A., Coleman, S., and Levy, D. (1993). “Effect of photoperiod on in vitro tuberization of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)”. Plant Cell Tissue Organ Culture 34: 43–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simko, I. (1991). “In vitro potato tuberization after the treatment with paclobutrazol”. Biologia 46: 251–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simko, I. (1993). “Effects of kinetin, paclobutrazol, and their interactions on the microtuberization of potato stem segments cultured in vitro in the light”. Plant Growth Regulation 12: 23–27.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, G. (1970). “Influence of ethrel on growth and yield of potatoes”. Res. Life Sci. 18: 38–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, O. E. and Palmer, C. E. (1970). “Cytokinin-induced tuber formation on stolons of Solanum tuberosum L. ”. Physiol. Plant. 23: 599–606.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, O. E. and Rappaport, L. (1969). “Gibberellins, inhibitors, and tuber formation in the potato Solanum tuberosum”. Am. Potato. J. 46: 185–191.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stallknecht, G. F. (1972a). “Coumarin-induced tuber formation on excised shoots of Solanum tuberosum L. cultivated in vitro”. Plant Physiol. 50: 412–413.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stallknecht, G. F. (1972b). “The effect of growth regulating chemicals applied to Russet Burbank potatoes grown in the greenhouse”. Amer. Potato J. 49: 356.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stallknecht, G. F. (1973). “Effect of inhibitors on coumarin-induced tuberization of axillary shoots of Solanum tuberosum L. grown in vitro”. Amer. Potato J. 50: 381.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, M. A., Arif, S. A. M., Kumar, A., Davies, H. V., Scobie, L. A., Pearce, S. R., and Flavell, A. J. (1992a). “Expression and sequence analysis of cDNAs induced during the early stages of tuberization in different organs of the potato plant (Solanum tuberosum L.)”. Plant Mol. Biot 20: 641–651.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, M. A., Arif, S. A. M., Pearce, S. R., Davies, H. V., Kumar, A. and George, L. A. (1992b). “Differential expression and sequence analysis of ribosomal protein genes induced in stolon tips of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) during the early stages of tuberization”. Plant Physiol. 100: 1171–1176.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, M. A., Burch, L. R., and Davies, H. V. (1993). “Changes in polyamine biosynthesis during the initial stages of tuberization in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)”. J. Plant Physiol 141: 370–372.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, M. A., Kumar, A., George, L. A., and Davies, H. V. (1992c). “Isolation and molecular characterization of a tuberization-related cDNA clone from potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)”. Plant Cell Reports 11: 623–626.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tizio, R. (1964). “Action de l’acide gibbèrellique sur la tubérisation de la Pomme de terre.” C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris 259: 1187–1190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tizio, R. (1971). “Action et rôle probable de certaines gibbérellines (A1, A3, A4, A5, A7, et A13) sur la croissance des stolons et la tubérisation de la Pomme de terre (Solanum tuberosum L.)”. Potato Res. 14: 132–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tizio, R. and Maneschi, E. (1973). “Different mechanisms for tuber initiation and dormancy in the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)”. Phyton Rev. Int. Bot. Exp. 31: 51–62.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • van Schreven, D. A. (1956). “On the physiology of tuber formation in potatoes. IV. Influence of vitamin C on tuber and sprout formation of potatoes asceptically grown in the dark”. Plant Soil 8: 87–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wareing, P. F. and Jennings, A. M. V. (1980). “The hormonal control of tuberization in potato”. In Plant Growth Substances, ed., F. Skoog. Springer-Verlag, New York, pp. 293–300.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Wellensiek, S. J. (1929). “The physiology of tuber formation in Solanum tuberosum L.”. Meded. Landb. Hoogesch. Wagen. 33: 6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Werner, H. O. (1934). “The effect of a controlled nitrogen supply with different temperatures and photoperiods upon the development of the potato plant”. Res. Bull. Neb. Agr. Exp. Sm. No. 75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zrust, J. and Mica, B. (1992). “Stolon and tuber initiation and development in potatoes at various levels of nitrogen nutrition”. Rostlinna Vyroba 38: 1045–1052.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Pennsylvania State University, USA

    Richard N. Arteca

Authors
  1. Richard N. Arteca
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1996 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Arteca, R.N. (1996). Tuberization. In: Plant Growth Substances. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2451-6_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2451-6_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-4721-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-2451-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation