EFFECT OF THE PHOTOPERIOD ON MORPHOFUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF 3 SPECIES OF POTATO

We investigated the effect of long and short light days on reproductiv e development, photosynthesis, content and the state of chlorophyll, d istribution of assimilates throughout organs, and activity of hormones in leaves of three species of potato with different photoperiodic res ponses of tuberation and flowering (Solanum tuberosum L., cv. Ideal; S . andigenum Lech., cv. zhukovskii; and S. stoloniferum Schlechtd. et B ouche). It is concluded that regulation of generative and vegetative r eproduction of potato has species and varietal characteristics. There is no marked competition for assimilates between processes of berry fo rmation and tuberation. Distribution of assimilates in separate potato species is under photoperiodic control, which determines the course o f formative processes.