Growth and Yield Performance of Jerusalem Artichoke Clones in a Semiarid Region of China

• Published in: Agronomy journal 2012-11, Vol.104 (6), p.1538-1546
• Main Authors: Liu, Zu Xin, Spiertz, J.H.J., Sha, Jing, Xue, Shuai, Xie, Guang Hui
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; drought resistance; energy; ethanol; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; genetic-variation; helianthus-tuberosus-l; land; Semiarid lands; spring wheat cultivars; stems; water
• ISSN: 0002-1962; 1435-0645
• DOI: 10.2134/agronj2012.0091

This study investigated biomass yield and growth characteristics of 26 Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) clones and assessed it as a bioenergy crop for a semiarid region of the Loess Plateau in China. Genotype, year, and genotype × year interaction contributed to differences in crop development, growth characteristics, and biomass yields (dry matter). Generally, biomass yields in 2011 were lower than in 2008, mainly due to a more severe soil moisture deficit in 2011. Shoot and tuber biomass yields (STBY) ranged from 18.9 to 35.0 Mg ha−1 in 2008 and from 16.1 to 24.8 Mg ha−1 in 2011. Clones HUB‐2 and BJ‐4 produced the highest shoot biomass yield (SBY), amounting to 31.3 and 25.6 Mg ha−1, respectively, in the wetter year but higher drought sensitivity. Clones HUN‐2, SD‐2, and SHH‐1 produced the second highest SBY, which varied between 14.3 and 20.1 Mg ha−1. Clones GZ‐1, HEN‐1, HUB‐1, IM‐1, and SX‐2 are recommended for tuber production and produced tuber yields >8 Mg ha−1 in both seasons. Clones SD‐2 and SHH‐1 exhibited drought sensitivity indices