Induction of in vitro tuberization of potato microplants by acetylsalicylic acid

This paper describes the effects of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) as a growth inhibitor and tuberization promoter on microplants of potato (Solanum tuberosum ns Russet Burbank) cultured in vitro. Stem growth was significantly inhibited by ASA at 10(-4)-10(-3) mol/L. The tuber-inducing effects of ASA on microplant shoot explants were compared with those of a standard tuberization medium that contained chlorocholine chloride (CCC) and benzylaminopurine (BAP). Substitution of ASA (10(-5)-7.5 x 10(-4) mol/L) for the growth inhibitor CCC in this medium produced up to 100 % tuberization of microplant shoots. When these compounds were each tested as the sole plant growth regulator in the medium, ASA or BAP induced 40 to 70 % tuberization, but CCC alone was ineffective.