Horticultural Performance, Yield Components and Sugar Content of Jerusalem Artichoke Cultivated Under the Middle Egypt Conditions

Moustafa, Yasser M.M.; Maraei, Rabab W.; Ezzat, Asmaa S.

doi:10.21608/eajbsh.2018.22721

Horticultural Performance, Yield Components and Sugar Content of Jerusalem Artichoke Cultivated Under the Middle Egypt Conditions

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Minia University, Minia, Egypt

² Natural Products Dept., National Center for Radiation Research and Technology, Atomic Energy Authority P.O. 29, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt

10.21608/eajbsh.2018.22721

Abstract

Jerusalem artichoke is a hardy plant with high photosynthetic efficiency. It is used for many purposes such as human food and animal feedstock. Currently, it is important as a source of inulin, which is considered a functional food ingredient. Inulin or fructan depends on many factors such as photosynthesis and temperature. This study was conducted to investigate the horticultural characteristics, the yield of tubers and inulin content of Egyptian Jerusalem artichoke under Middle Egypt growing conditions. Results showed that there were differences in the shape and size of tubers. The morphological parameters; plant height was (201.0 and 204.33 cm) in the first and second seasons, respectively and the number of branches/plant, it was 42.67 and 41.67 in the first and second seasons, respectively. This study proved that tubers contain a high percentage of inulin which is widely found in nature as a storage carbohydrate, especially in the plants of the family of Asteraceae. So it is important to cultivate these plants in Egypt to bridge the gap of sugar needed to feed diabetics. Also, these plants grow under drought conditions and therefore suitable for cultivation in new lands in Egypt for local marketing or for export to increase the national income of Egypt from hard currency.

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