The Metabolism of Fructose Polymers in Plants: II. EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON THE CARBOHYDRATE CHANGES AND MORPHOLOGY OF STORED TUBERS OFHELIANTHUS TUBEROSUSL.

Abstract

It is confirmed that the change in optical rotation of extracts obtained from tubers during dormancy is correlated with the conversion of fructosan to oligosaccharides of lower molecular weight, and that there is an associated increase in the combined glucose content. Storage at 2° C. both accelerated and greatly magnified this process; storage at 20° C. considerably depressed it. The change is not initiated or controlled by the dormant buds. Tubers kept at 20° C. throughout the dormancy period sprouted to give daughter tubers; new plants did not develop, even after some months. Normal sprouting was induced by keeping the dormant tubers at 2° C. for 7 weeks.