Growth Substances and Growth of Strawberry Stolons and Leaves1

Abstract A foliar spray of 6-(benzylamino)-9-(2-tetrahydropyranyl)-9H-purine (PBA) induced thickening and restricted elongation of strawberry ( Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) petioles and stolon internodes. Leaf area of treated plants was lower than that of untreated plants. Stolon internodes of treated plants increased in cell size and number. Gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) promoted leaf expansion and elongation of petioles and stolon internodes. A combination of PBA and GA 3 induced less thickening and more elongation of petioles and stolon internodes and greater leaf area compared to treatment with PBA alone. There was a breakdown of cell walls of pith parenchyma in stolon internodes of untreated plants while the cell walls of PBA and GA 3 treated plants remained intact.