Clinorotation [correction of Clinoratation] effects on the structural-functional response in potato minitubers

It is established that high plant growth and development in microgravity occurred normal. However, the change of plant growth rate is accompanied by the change of carbohydrate metabolism in photosynthesized cells (Kordyum, 1997). The decrease of starch grain size in chloroplasts and the decrease of content cellulose in cell wall were revealed (Sytnik et al., 1984; Nedukha, 1996). The change carbohydrate metabolism in photosynthesized organs could influence on the growth of underground organs and content of storage carbohydrates in these organs. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the long-term clinorotation influence on the formation, structure of potato minitubers and content of starch and sugars in minitubers.