Leaf Expansion in the Potato, Solanum tuberosum

The effects of a number of manipulative treatments together with the application of the growth hormones IAA and GA on leaf expansion in the potato, variety Majestic, were investigated. It was found that removal of the apex and its surrounding non‐expanded leaves resulted in an increase in both the rate and the extent of expansion of Ihe remaining upper leaves on the system. Application of IAA and GA to decapitated shoots showed that the rate of leaf expansion was decreased by IAA both alone and in combination with GA, whereas it was increased by GA treatment. Further investigations indicated that the response of a leaf to GA treatment was determined by the area and position of the leaf al the time of treatment and also by the number of expanding leaves on the system. It is postulated that this is due, at least in part, to competition for some factor or factors, which could be nutrients, within the system.