Effects of gibberellic acid and chlorocholine chloride on tuberisation and growth of potato (Solanum tuberosum L)

Abstract

Treatment of potato plants with gibberellic acid (GA3) enhanced both shoot and stolon growth and dry weight but delayed tuber initiation and decreased tuber yield. Conversely, treatment with chlorocholine chloride (CCC) growth retardant reduced shoot and stolon growth and dry weight but promoted tuberisation. Chlorophyll a and b contents were both increased appreciably with CCC. In the tubers, CCC increased starch content by 11% compared to untreated control, whereas GA3 decreased starch content by about 13%. A very high reducing sugar content in the stem of GA3-treated crop indicated active hydrolysis of sucrose coming from the leaves, leading to its reduced supply to the tubers because of further possible sucrose hydrolysis while passing through the long stolons. However, in the CCC treated crop, the higher chlorophyll content of the leaves with reduced stolon length will promote efficient sucrose supply to the tubers. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry.