Physiological and Anatomical Characterization of a Late-storage Root-forming Mutant of Sweetpotato
A late-storage root-forming mutant (`KM95-A68') of sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Poir.] was characterized to clarify the genetic and physiological mechanisms of storage root formation. This mutant originated from a somaclonal mutation of `Kokei No. 14'. Storage roots of `KM95-A68' are rare and, when formed, develop 2 or 3 weeks later than those of `Kokei No. 14' from which it originated. Morphological characteristics of the canopy and leaf photosynthetic rates of `KM95-A68' were similar to those of `Kokei No. 14'. No apparent differences were observed in the anatomy of root cross sections of `KM95-A68' and `Kokei No. 14'. An apparent increase in the root zeatin riboside (ZR) levels were observed in `Kokei No. 14' at storage root formation. Root ZR levels differed between `Kokei No. 14' and `KM95-A68'. The onset of increase in root ZR levels was delayed by 2 or 3 weeks in `KM95-A68' in comparison to `Kokei No. 14'. Maximum root ZR levels in `Kokei No. 14' were 2.2 times higher in comparison to `KM95-A68'. This appeared to be a factor in delayed storage root formation of `KM95-A68'. Results of reciprocal grafts of `KM95-A68' and `Kokei No. 14' indicated that the late storage root-forming characteristic of `KM95-A68' is a characteristic that arises from the root itself.