Potential of Jerusalem artichoke as an energetic crop: tuber yield and aboveground biomass in different sampling dates
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abstract
Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) is a species of the Asteraceae family that has been grown
for its edible tubers. It is also used as an ornamental in several parts of the world. Previous studies have revealed
that Jerusalem artichoke can be grown in Portugal, producing high tuber yields when the crop is regularly watered
and moderately fertilized with nitrogen [1]. In recent years there has been an increasing interest on this species,
since it can be grown as an energetic crop for bioethanol production because it commonly accumulates high levels
of carbohydrates in the tubers [2]. Furthermore, the high amount of above-ground phytomass yielded may be used
in the near future in the production of lignocellulosic bioethanol. This study was conducted with the aim of
assessing the potential of Jerusalem artichoke to accumulate aerial phytomass and tubers in two dates of the
growing cycle: at full bloom, when the accumulation of dry matter in aerial biomass reaches the higher level; and
at the end of the growing cycle when almost all the photoassmilates were translocate to the tubers.
