title: Norwegian-grown Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.): morphology and content of sugars and fructo-oligosaccharides in stems and tubers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Two field trials growing Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) are discussed. Twenty genetic variants were compared in order to find genotypes suitable for Norwegian production. A second trial investigated the above-ground part of early and late variants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The highest yield (28.7 t ha(-1)) and highest amount of tubers per plant was obtained in early variants, e.g. the white Tysnes gave 1.72 kg tubers plant(-1). Early variants had a markedly lower portion of smooth tubers. Late variants gave the most preferable tuber shape, but low yield. Only a weak correlation was found between dry matter content and total content of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) (r = 0.255) in the tubers. The mean content of FOS including sucrose through all variants was found to be 116 g kg(-1) fresh weight (FW) or 550 g kg(-1) dry weight (DW). The average chain length of FOS in the tubers was found to be DP3.9. There was no difference in tuber FOS content between early and late variants. The highest above-ground amount biomass was found for the late variants when harvested in September. The content of soluble carbohydrates was found to be highest in stalks in August (sucrose and FOS major compounds).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early variants give the highest tuber yield under Norwegian growing conditions. Late variants give highest above-ground biomass.
authors.affiliation: PlantChem, Saerheim Research Centre, N-4353 Klepp Station, Norway. rune@plantchem.com
authors.forename: Rune
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Slimestad
authors.forename: Randi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seljaasen
authors.forename: Kasia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Meijer
authors.forename: Siv Lene
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Skar
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006368:Helianthus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D009664:Norway; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry; D035281:Plant Tubers / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry; D012621:Seasons; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates; D009844:Oligosaccharides