Activity of Cell-wall-bound Invertase During Storage Root Initiation in the Sweet Potato

Abstract

Abstract Differences in storage root initiation among sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam.) plants of the same cultivar were generated by treating them with different amounts of a slow-release fertilizer (19N-3P-10K). Activity of cell-wall-bound invertase (cwb invertase) was monitored during storage root initiation to determine whether differences in its activity could be associated with differences in storage root formation. Cwb invertase activity was increased in roots of plants receiving the lower amount of fertilizer and producing the greater number of storage roots. NAA enhanced cwb invertase activity in excised storage roots.