Growth parameters controlling tuberization of turnip roots

ABSTRACT

Treatment of turnip plants with alar and kinetin enhanced the root tuberization potential with better performance by alar. A clear alliance of the root tuberization vigour and dry matter gain in shoots was observed. This was generally underlain with an enhancement of the net leaf area and a perspective increase of the photosynthetic pigments. In this respect, alar evoked a particular elevation of chlorophyll b and caretenoide contents whereas kinetin enhanced chlorophyll a level. On the other hand, a relative attenuation of the above mentioned criteria was obtained in the plants treated with cycloheximide. In the light of the differential enhancement by alar and kinetin and depressing effect by cycloheximide, the growth parameters controlling root tuberization were discussed