Effect of propagated parts on percentage of emergence, growth and yield of Kaentawan (Helianthus tuberosus L.)

Abstract

Kaentawan or Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) accumulates carbohydrate in forms offructans and inulin, which are used in food, animal feed and medical industries. This crop has potential for use asraw material in food industry and for alcohol production. Seed tuber is solely used for Jerusalem artichokeproduction, and this practice incurs high production cost. Production cost can be lowered if other plant parts withlower market value such as different parts of stolon can be used as seed tuber. Two experiments were conductedwith the objectives of investigating the effects of different parts of seed tuber on percentage of germination, growthand yield of Jerusalem artichoke. In experiment one, five treatments (small whole tuber with 3-4 buds, cut of largetuber with 2-3 buds, cut of basal part stolon with 2-3 bud, cut of middle part stolon with 2-3 buds and cut of tippart stolon with 2-3 buds) were arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. Plants weregrown in plastic bags containing burned rice hull and soil at the ratio 1:1. In experiment two, treatments asmentioned in experiment one were raised in plastic pots and tested for yield under greenhouse condition duringNovember 2004 to January 2005 at Khon Kaen University Agronomy Farm. A completely randomized design with fivereplications was used. Cut of large tuber tended to give the highest percentage of germination (94.6%) at 35, 42,49 and 56 days after germination. Plant height was statistically different, and cut of large tuber gave the highestplant height (17.5 cm). Tuber yield was not statistically different, but cut of large tuber tended to have the highesttuber yield (551 kg/rai).