A SYNCHRONOUS MODEL PERFECTING FOR FUNDAMENTAL-STUDIES ON THE TUBERIZATION PROCESS

A simplified model to study potato development with homogeneous growth an synchronous tuberization is a useful tool for biochemical or molec ular analysis. Uninodal leafy explants were individually subcultured i n test tubes. They grew in different culture media (form and amount of nitrogen nutrition) and were submitted to various cycles of long and short days with or without a thermoperiod. The tubers appeared in shor t days or in darkness. No growth regulators were added to any culture medium in order to preserve natural endogenous equilibrium. We also tr ied to produce good quality tubers (preservable until sprouting), larg e enough for sampling and analysis and for eventual applied uses. Seve ral intermediate results leading to a synchronous model of development provided various number, size and shape of tubers for the same cultiv ar, <BF15>.