Electronic Journal of Polish Agricultural Universities (EJPAU) founded by all Polish Agriculture Universities presents original papers and review articles relevant to all aspects of agricultural sciences. It is target for persons working both in science and industry,regulatory agencies or teaching in agricultural sector. Covered by IFIS Publishing (Food Science and Technology Abstracts), ELSEVIER Science - Food Science and Technology Program, CAS USA (Chemical Abstracts), CABI Publishing UK and ALPSP (Association of Learned and Professional Society Publisher - full membership). Presented in the Master List of Thomson ISI.
2005
Volume 8
Issue 3
Topic:
Horticulture
ELECTRONIC
JOURNAL OF
POLISH
AGRICULTURAL
UNIVERSITIES
Sawicka B. , Michałek W. 2005. EVALUATION AND PRODUCTIVITY OF Helianthus tuberosus L. IN THE CONDITIONS OF CENTRAL-EAST POLAND, EJPAU 8(3), #42.
Available Online: http://www.ejpau.media.pl/volume8/issue3/art-42.html

EVALUATION AND PRODUCTIVITY OF HELIANTHUS TUBEROSUS L. IN THE CONDITIONS OF CENTRAL-EAST POLAND

Barbara Sawicka1, Władysław Michałek2
1 Department of Plant Production, Agricultural University of Lublin, Poland
2 Department of Plant Physiology, Agricultural University of Lublin, Poland

 

ABSTRACT

The analysis of changeability of plant flowering, photosynthetic activity of the leaves and productivity of the over-ground part and tubers of Helianthus tuberosus was based on the results of a strict field experiment done in the years 2001-2003 in Parczew on light soil, good rye complex. The experiment was carried out using the method of randomized blocks in 3 repetitions. 2 cultivars of Jerusalem artichoke were studied, namely Albik and Rubik, with different morphological and physiological types. The studies evaluated the intensity of flowering and phytosynthetic activity of the plants at anthesis through the measurements of the induction of leaves chlorophyll fluorescence and productivity of plants. Taking into consideration the evaluated indexes of flowering, the length of flowering turned out to be the most stable property, while the maximum efficiency of photosystem PS II in darkness (FV/Fm) proved to be the most stable of the physiological and morphological features. In the conditions of central-east Poland the best value of photosystem PS II in darkness and in light, a higher number of electrons in PS II in the conditions of adjustment to light and higher coefficients of photo-chemical and non-photochemical fluorescence quenching were found out for cultivar Albik, which testifies to big potential efficiency of photosystem II of this cultivar and its potential productivity. Results of measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence point out that they can be considered as indicators for earlier anticipation of Jerusalem artichoke yielding.

Key words: Jerusalem artichoke, cultivars, flowering, chlorophyll fluorescence, productivity.

INTRODUCTION

Jerusalem artichoke Helianthus tuberosus L. is an alternative plant, useful in many directions of utilization [5, 8, 20, 22, 27]. The tubers of Helianthus tuberosus are very fleshy and sweeter than potato and even sweet potato tubers [1, 22, 27]. Inulin is the main reserve material of this plant. It undergoes digestion and assimilation by man’s organism in a different way from starch. Hence, the tubers of this plant are recommended in nutrition and as variation in the diet of diabetics. Helianthus tuberosus tubers are considered in western Europe, and especially in France, as a very tasty, sweetish, sophisticated vegetable, reminding the taste of artichoke or asparagus shoots [1, 6, 8, 27]. The tubers of this species are also a valuable raw material for food processing industry and pharmaceutical industry. This is possible thanks to the content of a number of mineral and nutritional elements [1, 8, 9, 20, 27]. Lately, interest in this species has increased since unconventional methods of its utilization have been developed [6, 8, 9, 14, 21, 22, 27]. A very high productive potential of this plant also speaks in favour of spreading Helianthus tuberosus [1, 7, 8, 20, 27]. The course of growth and development as well as productivity of the plants are conditioned in a large degree by the length and changeability of the vegetation season and genetic properties of a given cultivar [9, 14, 28]. Hence, the purpose of the paper is to estimate the flowering, photosynthetic activity of the leaves and productivity of plants and to determine potential possibilities of obtaining the biomass yield of two cultivars of Jerusalem artichoke in the conditions of central-eastern Poland.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The analysis of changeability of flowering of plants and photosynthetic activity of Helianthus tuberosus leaves was based on the results of a strict field experiment done in the years 2001-2003 in Parczew on light soil, good rye complex. The experiment was carried out using the method of randomized blocks in 3 repetitions. Two cultivars of Jerusalem artichoke were studied – Albik and Rubik – with different morphological and physiological types. The same organic (30 t·ha-1 manure) and mineral (100 kg N, 44 kg P, 125 kg K·ha-1) fertilization was used. The healthiness of seed-potatoes was comparable (E). The tubers were planted on 24 April into a ridge in the spacing of 62.5 × 40 cm. The area of the plots was 20 m2. The treatments applied during the experiment were in accordance with the proper agricultural technology.

Observations of the growth and development of plants were made every second day during the period of vegetation. The flowering intensity was estimated on the basis of the number of lateral bifurications with buds, and during the flowering – the number of bifurications with inflorescence, the number of inflorescences on a plant and the length of plants’ flowering (photos 1-4). The photosynthetic activity of plants at flowering was estimated through the measurement of the induction of chlorophyll fluorescence of the leaves by means of fluorometer PAM-2000 by Walz GmnH Comp. from Germany [23]. Chlorophyll fluorescence was measured on the third proper leaf of Helianthus tuberosus according to Schreiber et al. [24]. The following parameters of fluorescence were determined:

– maximum efficiency of photosystem PS II in darkness (Fv/Fm),
– efficiency of PS II in the light (Fv/Fm),
– actual number of electrons in PS II in the conditions of assimilation to light – ΦPSII [30],
– coefficient of photochemical (qP) and non-photochemical (qN) quenching of fluorescence) [3, 29].

These measurements were performed on the leaves with the same location on the plant and with similar orientation to light, which was shaded for 20 minutes before the measurement by means of factory-made clips. All measurements and markings were made in 3 repetitions. Plants’ productivity was determined, marking the yield of the over-ground mass and the tubers. The harvest of the over-ground mass and the tubers took place in the last 10-days’ period of October, while the yield mass was established from each combination and in all repetitions of the field experiment.

A statistical analysis of the results was conducted mainly by means of variance analysis. The significance of sources of changeability was tested by Fischer-Snedecor’s “F” test. The analysis of multiple regression was carried out in reference to the length of flowering, number of bifurications with buds, number of bifurications with flower heads, number of flower heads per plant, yield of the over-ground mass and the tubers and fluorescence index. Parameters of the function were determined using the method of the least squares, and verification of significance was performed by means of t Student test. Changeability of the analyzed results was estimated using the arithmetic means, standard deviation, variability coefficient V, and it was calculated according to the formula:

where S – standard deviation, x – arithmetic means.

Variability coefficients are the measure of the scatter of results. The smaller its value is, the more stable a given feature [15].

Figure. 1. Rainfalls and air temperature during potato vegetation period in the years 2001-2003, according to COBORU at Uhnin

The statistical characterization of the studied variables is found in tables 2, 3, 4. The relations between the features of plants’ flowering and the yield of the over-ground mass and tubers on the one hand and the indexes of fluorescence were viewed as standard deviation from the arithmetic means. The course of air temperatures and the intensity of rainfalls during the vegetation of particular years were differentiated, which is illustrated in figure 1.

RESULTS

Results obtained from the measurements testify to the effect of genetic features and habitat conditions on the intensity of plants flowering, the values of parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence, and – as a consequence – on the productivity features of Jerusalem artichoke (tab. 1, 2, 3).

Table 1. The number of days of flowering as well as the number of bifurcations and inflorescences on a plant of Helianthus tuberosus (2001-2003)

Cultivars

Number of days flowering
(days)

Number of bifurcations with buds
(number per plant)

Number of bifurcations with inflorescences
(number per plant)

Number of inflorescences (number per plant)

mean

V*

mean

V

mean

V

mean

V

Albik

73.2

17.4

4.5

26.6

3.4

31.0

13.7

27.6

Rubik

64.0

8.2

4.3

22.6

3.3

28.1

13.5

20.4

Mean

68.6

12.8

4.4

24.6

3.4

29.6

13.6

24.0

LSD0.05

3.7

 

0.2

 

0.1

 

n**

 
*coefficient of variability, %
**not significant at α ≤ 0.05.

Table 2. Parameters of fluorescence of chlorophyll in Helianthus tuberosus leaves

Cultivars

Fo

Fm

Fv/Fm

Fv’/Fm

FPSII

Y

qp

qn

mean

V*

mean

V

mean

V

mean

V

mean

V

mean

V

mean

V

mean

V

Albik

0.233

19.3

1.080

15.2

0.583

14.8

0.157

20.3

0.709

28.7

0.395

16.9

0.575

21.6

0.176

42.1

Rubik

0.237

17.1

1.065

14.9

0.561

14.6

0.159

22.9

0.680

28.0

0.399

20.6

0.561

18.9

0.153

58.1

LSD0.05

n**

 

0.024

 

0.019

 

n

 

0.025

 

n

 

0.014

 

0.008

 

Mean

0.237

18.2

1.073

15.1

0.572

14.7

0.158

21.6

0.695

28.4

0.397

18.8

0.568

20.3

0.164

50.1

*coefficient of variability, %
**not significant at α ≤ 0.05.

Table 3. Yield of over-ground mass and tubers, dt·ha-1

Cultivars

Yield of over-ground mass

Yield of tubers

mean

V*

mean

V*

Albik

596.1

35.6

238.6

14.9

Rubik

575.3

40.5

244.5

15.6

LSD0.05

20.8

 

5.6

 

Mean

585.7

38.1

241.6

15.3

*coefficient of variability, %

Coefficient of variability, which is the quotient of absolute measure of variability of a feature, as a non-measurable value, makes it possible to compare differentiation of both a few communities in respect of the same feature, and the community itself in respect of a few features, and it is the measure of the scatter of results. Hence, estimation of variability was applied in relation to all the studied features. Taking stability into consideration, the examined features of flowering of Helianthus tuberosus can be ordered in a growing sequence in the following manner: number of bifurications with a flower head, number of bifurications with buds, number of flower heads, number of flowering days. Genetic properties of the studied cultivars significantly differentiated all the features of plants’ flowering. Albik was the cultivar with longer and more abundant flowering, as compared to Rubik (photos 1, 2, 3, 4, tab. 1). However, the former was characterized by greater variability of the examined features, which – as should be supposed – resulted from its greater susceptibility to unfavourable meteorological phenomena in the period of vegetation, especially to drought. Rubik cultivar was more stable regarding its flowering. Together with the blooming of flowers at higher storeys, competition for assimilates became distinctly marked between particular generative parts and the lower inflorescences and fruit sets from approximate flowers dominated. In the course of flowering, the food requirements were so big that plants were not able to supply proper quantities through the root system, which was probably the cause of falling of a part of inflorescences, which in some plant reached as much as 50%.

Photo 1. The flowering of plants of Albik cultivars

Photo 2. The flowering of plants of Rubik cultivars

Photo 3. A single flower of Albik cultivar

Photo 4. Blooming plant of Rubik cultivar

Among the parameters of fluorescence, the maximum efficiency of photosystem PS II in darkness (Fv/Fm) proved to be the most stable, while coefficient of non-photochemical quenching of fluorescence (qn) – the least (tab. 2). Genetic features of the studied cultivar were differentiated with the following values: Fm, Fv/Fm, ΦPSII, qp and qn. Albik turned out to be the cultivar with higher values of those features, but Rubik was more stable in this respect. It should be emphasized that the drop of values of particular parameters, and especially the maximum efficiency of photosystem PS II in darkness, testifies to a smaller need of plants for products which are so-called assimilation force and to disturbances in the process of growth of the examined plants. This particularly unfavourable feature occurred in the case of Rubik cultivar. This is shown not only in the smaller yield of the green weight (tab. 3) but also in low values concerning the photosynthetic productivity of this cultivar.

The results also showed that the values of particular indexes of photosynthetic efficiency of Helianthus tuberosus leaves depend on meteorological conditions during the period of vegetation (tab. 2). In the conditions of central-eastern Poland, more favourable values of Fv/Fm, ΦPSII, qp and qn occurred in Albik, as compared to Rubik. At the same time it should be emphasized that these two cultivars were characterized by high maximum efficiency of photosystem PS II, which testifies to relatively big potential efficiency of photosystem II in both studied cultivars.

Table 4. Statistical characteristics of dependent variables (mean for 2001-2003)

Dependent variables

Arithmetical means

Standard deviation

Coefficient of variability, %

y1
y2
y3
y4
y5
y6

585.7 
241.6 
73.8 
4.4 
3.2 
14.0

223.2 
37.0 
9.4 
1.1 
0.9 
3.4 

38.1 
15.3 
12.8 
24.6 
29.6 
24.0 

y1 – over-ground matter yield, dt·ha-1
y2 – yield of tubers, dt·ha-1
y3 – number of flowering days, days
y4 – number of bifurcations with buds, number per plant
y5 – number of bifurcations with inflorescences, number per plant
y6 – number of inflorescences, number per plant

Table 5. Statistical characteristics of independent variables (mean for 2001-2003)

Dependent variables

Arithmetical means

Standard deviation

Coefficient of variability, %

x1
x2
x3
x4
x5
x6
x7
x8

0.235 
1.073 
0.572 
0.158 
0.695 
0.397 
0.568 
0.164

0.043 
0.162 
0.084 
0.034 
0.197 
0.075 
0.115 
0.082 

18.2 
15.1 
14.7 
21.6 
28.4 
18.8 
20.3 
50.1

x1 – Fo – minimal fluorescence efficiency;
x2 – Fm – maximal fluorescence efficiency;
x3 – maximal efficiency of PS II photochemistry in the dark (FV/Fm);
x4 – efficiency of PS II in the light (FV’/Fm’’);
x5 – actual amount of PS II electrons in the light-adapted state (FPSII);
x6 – Y – total quantum photosynthesis yield;
x7 – photochemical quenching coefficient (qp);
x8 – non-photochemical quenching coefficient (qn).

Table 6. Values of regression coefficients (y1-y3) for Albik cultivars at the significance level of α = 0.05

Elements of regression equation

Unit

Depended variables*

y1

y2

y3

Constant of regression

 

325.049

280.169

32.458

y4

(number per plant)

   

8.332

x1

 

4491.495

 

-154.798

x2

     

45.808

x3

 

-1410.94

   

x8

   

-272.567

 

Determination coefficient

(%)

70.6

59.4

93.5

y1 – over-ground matter yield, dt·ha-1
y2 – yield of tubers, dt·ha-1
y3 – number of flowering days, days
y4 – number of bifurcations with buds, number per plant
x1 – Fo – minimal fluorescence efficiency;
x2 – Fm – maximal fluorescence efficiency;
x3 – maximal efficiency of PS II photochemistry in the dark (FV/Fm);
x8 – non-photochemical quenching coefficient (qn).

Table 7. Values of regression coefficients (y1-y3) for Rubik cultivars at the significance level of α = 0.05

Elements of regression equation

Unit

Depended variables*

y1

y2

y3

Constant of regression

 

-606.28

120.967

85.399

y1

(dt.ha-1)

 

-0.063

 

y2

(dt.ha-1)

-2.989

   

y4

(number per plant)

 

19.441

-2.658

y5

(number per plant)

39.815

   

x2

   

89.509

 

x3

 

1523.428

   

x5

 

433.179

 

16.352

x7

     

-37.794

x8

 

1032.285

 

-14.458

Determination coefficient

(%)

79.7

67.3

92.2

y1 – over-ground matter yield, dt·ha-1
y2 – yield of tubers, dt·ha-1
y4 – number of bifurcations with buds, number per plant
y5 – number of bifurcations with flower head, number per plant number
x2 – Fm – maximal fluorescence efficiency;
x3 – maximal efficiency of PS II photochemistry in the dark (FV/Fm);
x5 – actual amount of PS II electron in the light-adapted state (F PSII);
x7 – photochemical quenching coefficient (qp);
x8 – non-photochemical quenching coefficient (qn).

The analysis of regression of biomass yield and the length of flowering in Albik cv., referring to standard deviation from the arithmetical means (tab. 5), showed that there is a relationship between dependent variables and indexes of chlorophyll fluorescence (tab. 6). The yield of over-ground mass was positively formed by the minimum efficiency of fluorescence, and negatively – by the maximum efficiency of photosystem PS II in darkness. The yield of tubers, on the other hand, was negatively modified by the coefficient of non-photochemical quenching of fluorescence. The length of flowering for Albik cv. increased together with a bigger number of bifurcations with buds and the maximum efficiency of fluorescence, and it decreased with the minimum efficiency of fluorescence in terms of standard deviation from the arithmetical means, with the values listed in table 6.

Values of partial coefficients of regression in the case of Rubik cv. show that the tuber yield has a negative effect on the yield of the over-ground mass, while the number of bifurcations with inflorescence has a positive effect. On the other hand, the yield of tubers of this cultivar is negatively influenced by the over-ground mass of the plant, while being positively affected by the number of bifurcations with buds and the maximum efficiency of fluorescence. The length of flowering for Rubik cv. was limited by the number of bifurcations with buds and the coefficient of photochemical and non-photochemical quenching of florescence, while being increased by the actual number of electrons in PS II in the conditions of light assimilation, in terms of standard deviation from the arithmetical means, with the values listed in table 7.

DISCUSSION

The majority of significant features of Jerusalem artichoke undergo phenotypic variability, depending on the effect different factors of the environment and the genotype [20, 31, 32].

Values of indexes of photosynthetic efficiency of Helianthus tuberosus leaves turned out to be mainly related to meteorological conditions of the vegetation period. Šestak and Šiffel [25] also stated that values of particular parameters connected with fluorescence can be differentiated by environmental factors.

High maximum efficiency of photosystem PS II testifies to relatively big potential efficiency of photosystem II in both studied cultivars. According to Puła et al. [19], this is a good indicator of injuries caused by various environmental factors or reduced demand for the products constituting so-called assimilation force. On the other hand, according to Kopcewicz [14], each cultivar individually produced assimilates, which is manifested in the values of particular parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence achieved in the studies. Also, according to Puła et al. [19], values of particular indexes FC are mainly dependent on genetic properties of cultivars, and the maximum efficiency of photosynthesis occurs when the area of the leaf blade already achieves the minimum size, next it gets smaller together with the growth of the blade. According to Havaux and Tardy [10], changes in the content of chlorophyll are connected with the yellowing of the leaves, which means their getting older, as a consequence of the proceeding decomposition of chlorophyll, weakening of photosynthesis and respiration. Lang et al. [13] as well as Sawicka [20] suggest that nitrogen and magnesium fertilization is responsible for the increase of chlorophyll content in the assimilating parts.

One of the indexes that proved to be dependent on cultivar properties (in 84.78%) is the level of minimum gain of fluorescence (Fo). Each cultivar produces assimilates in an individual manner. Together with the growth of the leaf blade the supply of elements is reduced, which results in a decreasing level of (Fo). According to Puła et al. [19], the level of (Fo) is first of all related to the genetic properties of cultivars. An index of growth is also the maximum gain of fluorescence (Fm). It follows from the studies that its level decreases with the plant’s growth. According to Kopcewicz [14], together with the growth of the leaf blade CO2 assimilation gets more intensive, and at the same time respiration intensity decreases. Puła et al. [19] claim that the maximum efficiency of photosynthesis takes place when the area of the leaf blade reaches minimum values, next it drops together with the growth of the leaf blade.

A relative change of potential quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) turned out to be mostly dependent on genetic properties of the studied cultivars. Smillie et al. [26], Bodlhander-Nordernkampf et al. [3], Lang et al. [13], Verhoeven et al. [30] proved that the functioning of photosystem II (PS II) is the most sensitive indicator of the effect of various stressing factors on plants. Changes in the activity of PS II can be established quickly, in in vivo conditions, on the basis of the measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence. This method found application in determining the potential of potato yielding [4, 17] and also in the evaluation of the effect of agrotechnical factors, heavy metals, deficit of elements and atmosphere pollution on the process of photosynthesis [12, 13, 19]. The kinetics of induction of chlorophyll fluorescence (FC), according to Smille et al. [26], Bolhar-Nordenkampf et al. [3] and Jansen et al. [11], is also useful to establish plants’ tolerance to temperature and herbicide stress, to estimate seedling survival rate and in cultures to select plants with the required genotype [16].

Comparing the values of parameter Fv/Fm with the obtained yield of over-ground mass and Helianthus tuberosus tubers it was found out that those values were bigger in the case of cultivars with hither yielding potential. Therefore, chlorophyll fluorescence could be considered as an indicator for earlier anticipation of the yielding of this species. Chlorophyll fluorescence is the measure of the efficiency of photosynthetic apparatus, which can be related to the features of genotype.

However, environmental variability occurs besides genetic variability. According to Ubysz-Borucka [31] and Sawicka, the most important causes of environmental variability include the quality of seed-potatoes (healthiness, size, manner of storage), lack of uniformity of the soil environment: agrotechnical mistakes; different degrees of infection by diseases and pests; unequal area for one plant (neighbourhood of diseased plants, lack of emergencies), irregularity of the effect of meteorological conditions such as temperature, light (length of waves, their intensity and time of lasting), supply of plant with water, air humidity, distribution of rainfalls in time. Differentiation of the environment where the plants of Helianthus tuberosus grow causes modification of the processes of inner regulation both within the shrub and the plant of Jerusalem artichoke. Hence, variability may occur within plants, shoots, ridges, variability of plants in a plot, variability connected with years and localities [24, 31]. It follows from the studies by Ubysz-Borucka [31] and Koronacki and Mielniczuk [15] that determination of chemical, biochemical or physiological properties of plants requires studies in the course of at least three years in one locality, or 1-2 years in a few localities in order to be able to separate the component of phenotypic variability in the proper way.

In the authors’ own studies, competition between generative parts was marked together with the flowering of plants at higher storeys. The nutritional requirements in the period of flowering were so big that the plants were not able to supply proper quantities through the root system, which was probably the cause of the falling of some of the inflorescences. According to Góral [7], the majority of Jerusalem artichoke clones collected in IHAR, and coming both from Poland and abroad, do not form flowers in our country at all. Seed heading in early flowering forms is very poor. Usually, there are only a few well-formed achenea in one infructescence. According to Góral [6, 7], the cause of this phenomenon, apart from autumn ground frosts, is a high level of polyploidization of this species since it is a hexaploid, where a considerable number of infertile pollen grains and univalents in the course of meiosis were found. According to Kopcewicz [14], the flowering of most plants is steered genetically, through the activization of a number of genes responsible for the phenomena of induction and differentiation of flower genes. However, the flowering of most plants is also dependent on outside factors. Jerusalem artichoke is a short-day plant and the long day in our latitude causes, according to Góral [7], inhibition of the generative development of plants. Wild forms, so-called heliants, flower as early as in August but they have small tubers on long stolons; they give a poor yield and are not suitable for cultivation. Certain cultivated bio-types with big tubers flower in September or October but usually they do not ripen before the autumn ground frosts. As suggested by Blanquez et al. [2] and Kopcewicz [14], plants that are photoperiodically sensitive, including Helianthus tuberosus, pass over to the generative phase as a result of flowering induction, which can be caused by temperature (thermoinduction, vernalization) or irradiation (photoperiodic induction, generative photoinduction). According to Goral [7, 8], improvement of seed heading and bringing about the flowering at an earlier date of vegetation require shortening the photoperiod to 10-12 hours. In his opinion, it can be achieved through the shading of plants or only their tops, or through plant forcing in a glasshouse after planting the tubers in January. Plants flowering during short winter or early spring days flower as early as in July and they give a certain amount if unripe seeds. These methods are used in cultures and in interspecific hybridization, e.g. with Helianthus annus L. [7]. According to Prusiński and Borowska [18], in the period of intensive growth generative parts get less than 10% assimilates, while the other 90% go to the top part of the growing shoot. Already a few tens of years ago the phenomenon of leaf or inflorescence falling was associated with lack of nutritious balance since it was thought that the falling of leaves took place yearly, was related to the relation between carbohydrates and nitrogen and that leaf falling did not occur only with balanced supply of these compounds. At present it is known that the phenomenon of leaf falling takes place every year but it gets more intensive in the conditions of thermal, water or mineral stress (lack of nutritional balance) [14, 18]. Thomas et al. [28] state that in the generative phase of plants from the aster family there are a few centres competing for nutritious elements: the systems of roots, main inflorescence and angular inflorescences developing on lateral shoots. In their opinion, the “assimilation current” upwards, in the direction of the main inflorescence is not strong enough and hence a tendency for the flowers to fall. Papers by other authors [2, 14] point out that leaf falling is connected with the ratio between the number of leaves and the number of flowers on a plant.

Environmental factors, and especially the length of the day and air temperature, also affect the course of flower morphogenesis. In the authors’ own studies Helianthus tuberosus plants flowered the earliest (at the beginning of August) and the longest in 2003, when the highest air temperature and the biggest cloudiness were observed. According to Kopcewicz [14], moist soil rich in nitrogen compounds, low air temperature, short days and carbon oxide stimulate the development of pistils, whereas a low content of nitrogen in the soil, long days and high air temperature stimulate the development of androecium.

CONCLUSIONS

  1. Physiological and morphological indexes proved to be the most changeable in the period of blossoming and the most stable – at full anthesis.

  2. Out of the evaluated indexes of flowering, the length of flowering turned out to be the most stable feature, while among the physiological and morphological indexes it was the maximum efficiency of photosystem PS II in darkness (Fv/Fm).

  3. Measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence can be considered to be an indicator of earlier anticipation of the formation of Helianthus tuberosus formation. The most useful indicators in anticipating the yielding include the maximum efficiency of fluorescence; index of potential quantum efficiency PS II in darkness; efficiency of PS II in light; actual number of electrons in PS II in the conditions of adjustment to light; coefficient of photochemical quenching of fluorescence.

  4. In the conditions of central-eastern Poland, the best value of photosystem PS II in darkness and in light, a higher actual number of electrons in PS II in the conditions of adjustment to light and higher coefficients of photochemical and non-photochemical quenching of fluorescence appeared in Albik cv., which testifies to relatively big potential efficiency of photosystem II of this cultivar and points to its high potential productivity.

  5. Results of measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence point out that they can be considered as indicators for earlier anticipation of the yielding of Jerusalem artichoke. These are completely non-invasive measurements which make it possible to study photosynthesis in vivo, which is especially useful in the situations when different environmental factors affect plants.

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Barbara Sawicka
Department of Plant Production,
Agricultural University of Lublin, Poland
Akademicka 15, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
email: barbara.sawicka@ar.lublin.pl

Władysław Michałek
Department of Plant Physiology,
Agricultural University of Lublin, Poland
15 Akademicka Street, 20-930 Lublin, Poland
Phone: +48 81 4456694
email: michalek@agros.ar.lublin.pl

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