Potato (
Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the major food crops, after rice, wheat and maize which is grown in more than 140 countries worldwide (
Horton 1987;
Hunsigi and Krishna, 1998). According to
Wasilewska-Nascimento et al., (2020), potato production and area under cultivation have increased dramatically by more than 100% in most of the countries in tropics and subtropics like India, Indonesia, Kenya, Bangladesh, China, Egypt and Peru while it has declined in temperate countries like France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Poland during last 50 years. But the productivity of the potatoes is greater (more than 45 t ha
-1) in Germany, the Netherlands and the USA like high input usage countries than the other countries
(Koch et al., 2020). Consequently, reviewing the factors that influencing stolons and tuber formation in potatoes, based on the most important experiments conducted under different climatic condition are very important to get an understanding of yield formation of potato as well as enhance its tuber yield even under extreme conditions especially in the tropical and sub-tropical regions.
Jefferies and Lawson (1991) described the seven growth stages of potato plants: seed germination and emergence, tuber dormancy, tuber sprouting, emergence and shoot expansion, flowering, tuber development and senescence.
Formation of stolons and tubers in potatoes
The formation of underground stolon and tuberization are the two processes of tuber formation of potato (
Hunsigi and Krishna, 1998;
Jackson, 1999). An early phase of the stolon tip begins to swell is considered as the tuberization. Diageotropically growing underground lateral buds are developed into stolons by elongation and transverse division of its apical cells
(Xu et al., 1998). Xylem tissues of stolons that are situated in between inner and outer phloem tissues are called a pre-medullary zone. At the time of tuber formation, the apoplastic phloem unloading pathway of assimilates through the cells is changed into a symplastic pathway through the cytoplasm and start to swelling of stolon tip by longitudinally dividing the pith and cortex cells. Cells in the pre-medullary zone are divided further with the enlargement of potato tubers. Finally, the tuber size is increased by dividing and enlarging the storage parenchyma cells in the outer cortex of tubers (
Hunsigi and Krishna, 1998;
Xu et al., 1998; Viola et al., 2001; Akoumianakis et al., 2016; Zhang et al., 2020). Active numbers of tubers per haulm decrease by resorption or remain as very small tubers. The first three weeks after emergence is the most critical period for tuber formation. If anything happens to slow down the growth of plants, it affects negatively final yield (
Cho and Iritani, 1983;
Oliveira and Da, 2000;
Walworth and Carling, 2002;
Thornton et al., 2007). The numbers of tubers per plant are determined by different parameters such as numbers of stolons and stems, varieties grown and status of vegetative growth
(Wurr et al., 1997; Adhikari, 2005). For instance, stolon length is a varietal character (
Kratzke and Palta, 1992). According to
Celis-Gamboa (2002) stolons were formed 29 days after planting in all maturity types (very early, early, intermediate, late, or very late) of potatoes. Besides, tuberization was begun 29 days after planting in very early maturity types and 36 days after planting in other maturity types.
Genetical regulation of tuber formation
Tuberization, stolons length, number of tubers per plant, tuber size and uniformity are highly heritable and genetically advance in potatoes. Besides, the number of tubers per plant is positively correlated with the final tuber yield, it is least influenced by the prevailing environmental factors such as day length, light intensity and temperature
(Tripura et al., 2016; Hulscher et al., 2013; Bahram et al., 2020). Tuber formation of potato is induced by the mobile signal initiated in leaves called tuberigen and it involves
FLOWERING LOCUS T (
FT) protein
(Rodriguez-Falcon et al., 2006; Abelenda et al., 2011). The authors revealed that several genes are responsible for tuber formation in potatoes. A transcription factor
StBEL5 mRNA that is produced in leaves mobilizes to the stolon tips through the phloem tissue to initiate tubers under a favourable condition with a short-day photoperiod. Potato varieties having overexpression of
StBELL5 produce higher yields due to early tuberization. Full-length mRNA
StBELL11 and
StBELL29 affect to tuberization of potatoes
(Chen et al., 2003; Banerjee et al., 2006; Kloosterman et al., 2013; Lin et al., 2013; Sharma et al., 2016; Hannapel and Banerjee, 2017;
Hannapel et al., 2017). The gene
StBELL5 induces the activity of
SELF-PRUNING 6A (
StSP6A) which interacts with
FLOWERING LOCUS D (
FD)-like protein in stolons during the tuber initiation.
CYCLING DOF FACTOR1 (
StCDF1) or overexpression of
StSP6A and its interaction with
St 14-3-3s induce early tuber initiation while
StFDL1 delays tuber formation. Besides, overexpression of
CONSTANS (
CO)-like gene
StCO cause to delay the tuber initiation under non-inductive conditions either during short days or long days.
StCO also affects the level of
StBEL5 mRNA level.
FT-like protein,
StFT/ StSP6A transcript level is also induced initiation of tuber formation in wild-type potato plants. Tuberization signal of
StSP6A is co-expressed with
TERMINAL FLOWER1/ CENTRORADIALIS genes (
StCEN) and it is suppressed by
StFDL1 (Rodriguez-Falcon et al., 2006; Navarro et al., 2011; Gonzalez-Sachain et al., 2012; Sharma et al., 2016; Hannapel et al., 2017; Teo et al., 2017; Zhang et al., 2020). StMSI1 which belongs to the group of
POLYCOM REPRESSIVE COMPLEXES (
PRC) protein and micro RNA 156 (
miR156) increases the stolon formation while
PRC protein:
StBMI1-1 decreases the number of stolons under short-day photoperiod conditions. Overexpression of
PRC protein
AtBMI1 stimulates the formation of aerial tubers that causes to reduce the underground tuber yield under short-day conditions. Micro RNA 172 (
miR172) also influences tuber formation in potatoes
(Martin et al., 2009: Kumar et al., 2020). Lipoxygenases (
LOX1) transcription factor restricts the development of root and stolons and it regulates the tuber enlargement by accumulating in the apical part of small tubers. The genes;
GA2-oxidase (
StGA2ox1) and
GA3-oxidase (
StGA3ox2) are induced in stolons under the short-day condition and overexpression of
StGA2ox1 and
StGA3ox2 genes induce early tuberization by control the gibberellins (GA) level in stolons
(Kolomiets et al., 2001; Kloosterman et al., 2007; Bou-Torrant et al., 2011). The cDNA fragments that express during the tuber initiation period are very important as genetic markers for selection phenotypic variation in the potato breeding programs
(Strunik et al., 1999).
Effect of growth regulators on tuber formation
Several growth regulators affect to stolons and tuber formation of potatoes. Among these, gibberellins (GA) is one of the most important growth regulators and it involves stolon elongation and inhibition of tuber formation in potatoes by affecting starch hydrolase activity or starch synthesis enzymes. GA-oxidase genes are involved to change GA content in the stolon tip before the onset of tubers. GA
1 and GA
3 present in stolon at tuber initiation and active GA decrease with swelling of stolon tip under inducing condition (
Smith and Palmer, 1970;
Xu et al., 1998; Abdala et al., 2002; Kloosterman et al., 2007; Roumeliotis et al., 2012). Degebasa (2020) pointed out that the dipping of tubers in GA
3 at a rate of 50 ppm for 24 hrs just after harvest, increased the average number of tubers per plant along with the increasing total and marketable tuber yields. But contradictory results were reported by
Kumar et al., (1981) using a low concentration of GA
3 at a rate of 1, 5 and 10 ppm for 24 hrs. It reduced dry matter yield with a significantly increasing number of tubers without changing the numbers of stolons per plant. According to
Wang et al., (2018), GA
3 treatment with calcium nitrate improved the number of tuber per plant as well as tuber weight in aeroponic grown potatoes. A study conducted five decades ago by
Dyson (1965) confirmed that there was no yield reduction with GA
3 applied to tuber pieces even delays the tuber growth. According to the studies of
Struik et al., (1989), foliar application of GA
3 at the rate of 25 ppm at an early stage or 60 days after planting reduced dry matter yield but increased fresh yield and number of tubers per plant by applying 40 days after planting.
Menzel (1983) pointed out that tuberization was inhibited by gibberellins produced in buds under warm temperatures. Therefore, further researches are needed to confirm the effects of tuber treating with GA
3 or foliar application of gibberellin inhibitors on the total and marketable yields under warm temperature.
The stable concentration of abscisic acid (ABA) is found in the apex portion of the tuber under inducing and non-inducing conditions while GA distributes throughout the tuber tissues. Even though ABA can decrease the formation of tubers and stolons, its exogenous application induces tuber formation by counteracting with gibberellins
(Krauss et al., 1981; Xu et al., 1998).
The most popular GA biosynthesis inhibitor used for commercial potato cultivation is chlormequat chloride (CCC). Foliar application of CCC improves the number of tubers formed and yield of small tubers in both fields grown and hydroponic grown potatoes. Soil application of CCC at emergence is also possible as it induces early tuberization by decreasing stolon growth (
Dayson, 1965;
Rex, 1992;
Wijaya et al., 2017). Dahyabhai (2004) observed a significantly higher total tuber yield (79.9%) and a greater number of tubers per plant (32%) than control by a single application of CCC at the rate of 800 ppm at 45 days after planting. But further studies need to confirm the effect of CCC on the yield performance of potatoes due to it may interact with the fertilizer rates, especially the rate of nitrogen and with the different maturity groups.
Some authors did experiments using paclobutrazol which is another GA biosynthesis inhibitor and growth retardant. It also enhanced the number of tubers per plant when applying before tuberization but its high concentration (250 mg L
-1) reduced the yield
(Lopez et al., 2011; Ellis et al., 2020). Uniconazole and Prohexadione-calcium can also inhibit the GA biosynthesis but their foliar application does not affect the number of tubers formed or the final yield.
(Lopez et al., 2011; Ellis et al., 2020).
Kinetin which is one of the adenine-type of cytokinins can inhibit tuberization when adding to the culture medium, but it induces tuber formation with a 6% or higher concentration of sucrose in
in-vitro media. Thidiazuron which belongs to the phenyluron-type of cytokinin and kinetin induce early tuberization, rapid stolon growth and enhance the number of tubers by stimulating basal acid invertase activity (
Palmer and Smith, 1970;
Pelacho and Mingo-Castel, 1991;
Kefi et al., 2000; Aksenova et al., 2009). Another adenine type of cytokinins: 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP) and zeatin riboside promote tuber formation by increasing glycolysis and ATP synthesis activity (
Mauk and Langille, 1978;
Cheng et al., 2019).
Auxin plays a vital role in tuber formation by inducing tuberization at higher concentrations in stolon before swelling of tubers. Low concentration (2 ppm) of Indole acetic acid (IAA) improves tuberization while its higher concentration (4 ppm) inhibits both stolon elongation and tuberization
(Roumeliotis et al., 2012a; Roumeliotis et al., 2012 b;
Wang et al., 2018; Xu et al., 1998).
Jasmonic acid (JA) is also one of the important growth regulators in point of tuberization. It accumulates in the root during the tuber formation stage by improving tuber formation and the number of tubers per plant. The exogenous application of JA on the stolon tip causes to initiate the tuberization. Authors revealed that JA synthesis is stimulated by theobromine which is extracted from
Lasiodiplodia theobromae fungus (
Pelacho and Mingo-Castel, 1991;
Abdala et al., 2002; Cenzano et al., 2003; Gao et al., 2003). Jackson and Willmitzer (1994) revealed that the tuber did not form by spraying JA up to 100 μM on
Solanum andigena (Jus. and Buk.) and
S. demissum (Lindl.) potatoes under non inducing condition.
Ethylene is also crucial in tuber formation. It inhibits tuber formation, stolon and root elongation by counteracting with kinetin. Foliar application of ethephone promotes tuber formation but it reduced the weight of marketable tubers
(Mingo-Castel et al., 1974; Vreugdnhil and Dijk, 1989;
Rex, 1992).
Effect of nitrogen on tuber formation
There is no doubt of the importance of soil nitrogen management for achieving a greater yield. Nitrogen absorbs by plants through the root system as nitrate-nitrogen (NO
3-N) or ammonium-nitrogen (NH
4-N). Lower optimum level (22 mg kg
-1) of soil NO
3-N is required for obtaining maximum yield
(Nurmanov et al., 2019). NO
3-N increases the number of stolons and tubers per plant when applied during the tuber initiation stage. NH4-N promotes early tuberization but a low number of stolons and tubers per plant
(Gao et al., 2014; Qiqige et al., 2017). According to
Dingenen et al., (2019), under a limited supply of nitrogen; the number of tubers per plant was reduced in potato varieties Andigena, Desiree, Saturna, Milva and Alegria by 71.4%, 66.7%, 75%, 75% and 40% respectively.
Olivera and Da (2000) revealed that the tuber number per plant was increased by 55.3% with increasing nitrogen from 40 kg ha
-1 to 200 kg ha
-1. Tuber formation is delayed when applying a total amount of nitrogen for basal dressing
(Kleinkopf et al., 1981; Olivera and Da, 2000) and tuber formation is inhibited by the higher amount of available nitrogen or continuous supply of nitrogen through roots (
Sattlemacher and Marschner, 1979;
Krauss and Marschner, 1982;
Sarkar and Naik, 1998). On the other hand, De la
Morena et al., (1994) confirmed that there was no direct effect on the final tuber yield or the number of tubers per plant by split application of nitrogen at different rates. This may be due to the leaching of applied nitrogen as mentioned by
Errebhi et al., (1998). They examined that leaching of NO
3-N was increased with increasing nitrogen rates in basal fertilizers. Consequently, it is important to do further researches to find out clearly whether or not tuberization affect by high-dose soil-applied nitrogen of field-grown potatoes.
Effect of temperature on tuber formation
The optimum temperature for tuber initiation in potatoes is in the range of 15 to 25
oC temperature. High temperature 30/25
oC (day/night temperature) or high temperature with low irradiation (3.4 MJ m
-2 d
-1) reduce stolons and tuber formation by decreasing photosynthetic efficiency and increasing production of GA in the buds. By increasing temperature in stolons and roots is caused to promote early senesce of plants (
Menzel, 1983;
Menzel, 1985;
Struik et al., 1989; Prange et al., 1990; Lafta and Lorenzen, 1995).
Li and Zhang (2020) proved that potato yield was decreased by 583 kg ha
-1 for every increment of temperature by 1
oC in china. According to
Dam et al., (1996), tuber formation is delayed under higher temperatures on long days.
Wheeler et al., (1986) observed that tuberization did not occur at 28oC either photoperiods of 24 hrs or 12 hrs or 24
oC at 24 hrs photoperiod of 400 μmol m
-2 S
-1 PPF. The high-temperature effect of potatoes can be mitigated by incorporating organic matter into the soil and mulching with straw-like materials
(Paul et al., 2017). Zhang et al., (2020) found that late-maturing cultivars are highly affected by heat than early cultivars.
Effect of photoperiod and light intensity for tuber formation
It is a well-known fact that the light intensity and duration decide the final yield by controlling photosynthesis and dry matter partitioning to the tubers. Likewise, light intensity and duration affect to tuberization of potatoes. For instance, tuber formation is delayed and reduced when exposed to long photoperiods or shading while tuber initiates early when exposed to far-red light. Tuberization also can take place without a dark period if the temperature is low
(Wheeler et al., 1986; Demagante and Zaag, 1988;
Marwaha and Sandhu, 2002;
Plantenga et al., 2016). Cristina et al., (2014) found that the number of daylight hours affects the number of stolons formed in early and intermediated maturing varieties. Presently, most of the commercially cultivated potato varieties do not affect tuberization by the length of the photoperiod (
Mackerron and Haverkort, 2004;
Kloosterman et al., 2013). After considering these facts, it is crucial to study CCC-like growth regulators to promote tuberization under low irradiation levels with warm environmental conditions. In warmer areas, it may be suitable for growing potatoes during a cloud-free season with abundant sunlight or provide extra light to promote early tuberization and to initiate more tubers. In the cooler area, additional light may be required to enhance yield, especially during the bulking phase. It is important to consider light intensity when conducting experiments on potatoes to draw valid conclusions.
Effect of drought and irrigation on tuber formation
One of the major limiting factors for the production of potatoes is the limited availability of irrigation water in the tropics and subtropics. Even though water is absorbed by the root system, it can also absorb through the roots of stolons and tubers (
Kratzke and Palta, 1985). During water stress, photosynthesis inhibits or reduces due to the closing of stomata
(Schapendonk et al., 1989). According to
Aliche et al., (2020), stolon and tuber formation are inhibited or reduced under drought conditions by reducing carbon partitioning.
Wang et al., (2013) observed that mulch with trickle irrigation is secured more tubers under water deficit conditions.
Li and Zhang (2020) revealed that potato yield was increased with every 100 mm increasing of precipitation in the rainfed area of China. According to
Jama-Rodzenska et al., (2020), stolons’ weights were higher in cv. Denar and Julinka are under low or optimum water levels than higher water. Tuber yield is reduced by early and midseason moisture stress
(Lynch et al., 1995).