Leaf area development of micropropagated potato plants: effects of leaf area of individual plants on logistic curve parameters and correlations among these parameters

Authors

  • M. Tadesse
  • W.J.M. Lommen
  • A.H.J. Van Der Putten
  • P.C. Struik

Keywords:

growth analysis, <i>in vitro</i> plantlet, leaf area, logistic growth, seed production, <i> Solanum tuberosum</i> L., temperature

Abstract

Leaf area increase of individual, in vitro produced potato plantlets was analysed over three growth phases: in vitro normalisation (3 weeks, 17 or 23°C), transplant production (2 weeks. 18/12 or 26/20°C) and tuber production (6 weeks. 18/12 or 26/20°C). In each phase, initial leaf area (ILA) and final leaf area (FLA) of logistically growing plants were related to parameters describing logistic growth (leaf area = A+C/(1+-exp((-Bxtt-M))); A: fitted minimum leaf area, B: fitted initial relative rate of increase, C: fitted maximum increment, M: fitted midpoint, MI: maximum rate of increase at M, MI = BxC/4). Higher ILA was associated with higher FLA during normalisation and transplant production, but not consistently during tuber production. During normalisation, higher ILA led to higher A, C and MI-values, and at 23°C also to higher B and earlier M. During transplant production, higher ILA was associated with higher C.During normalisation, leaf area increase of plants with higher FLAs was characterised by higher A, C and MI-values, and at 23°C also by earlier M. During transplant production, higher FLAs were associated with higher C and MI-values, and at 18/12°C also with higher A. During tuber production, higher FLAs were associated with higher C, M and MI-values.Correlations among parameters characterising logistic growth were of physiological origin, mathematical origin, or resulted from the actual shape of the logistic curve. A and B were positively correlated, likely because clearer S-shaped curves result in higher values of both. Both parameters usually were positively correlated with MI, likely because MI is a function of B, whereas A was correlated to B. Physiologically relevant correlations were found between M and C in the tuber production phase.

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Published

2001-09-01

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Papers