Effects of shoot,root and stolon temperature on the development of the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plant. II. Development of stolons

Summary Cultivars Bintje and Désirée were grown in a multi-compartment set-up, which allowed different shoot, root and stolon temperatures, to study the effects of temperature around different plant organs on the development of stolons. A high root temperature induced orthotropic stolon growth in cv. Bintje. Stolon number was not affected when temperature was increased in one compartment only, but high root temperature combined with high stolon temperature or high air temperature reduced stolon number. For ‘Bintje’, branching of stolons and their dry-matter yield were enhanced by a high temperature in each compartment, but combining high air temperature with another temperature increase was detrimental. Stolon initiation was less synchronized when plants were exposed to both high air temperature and high stolon temperature. The hormonal regulation of stolon formation and the effects of temperature on the hormonal balances involved are discussed.