Exogenous effect of gibberellins and jasmonate on tuber enlargement of Dioscorea opposita

S. K. Kim¹, J. T. Kim², S. W. Jang³, S. C. Lee², B. H. Lee¹ and I. J. Lee²

¹Institute for Bioresources Research, Gyeongbuk Provincial Agricultural Technology Administration, Andong 760-891, Korea
²Division of Plant Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Korea; e-mail: ijlee@knu.ac.kr
³Korea Tobacco and Ginseng Central Research Institute, Daejon 305-805, Korea
The authors (S. K. Kim and J. T. Kim) have equally contributed to this study.

Abstract:

We have examined the single and combinational effect of gibberellins (GA₃, GA₄₊₇) and jasmonic acid (JA) on enlargement of Chinese yam tubers in field. In a single treatment, gibberellin promoted the tuber enlargement by one time application, whereas the lowest concentration (100ppm) led to the highest tuber yield rather than accumulative application. The effect of GA₄₊₇ enhancing tuber yield was only recognised at the highest concentration by a single treatment. Tuber weight was decreased at the highest JA concentration, otherwise the lowest concentration of JA (5 ppm) significantly promoted the tuber weight by a single treatment (FS1). The combination of GA 50 ppm plus JA 5ppm enhanced remarkably the tuber weight by a single treatment (FS1). It is suggested that the combined treatment of yam plants with both gibberellic acid and jasmonic acid has promoted tuber yield.

Key words:

Dioscorea opposita, gibberellin, jasmonate, tuber yield