Jerusalem artichoke could be an alternative feedstock for bioenergy during times when there are shortages of other raw materials for the ethanol industry. However, insufficient water under rainfed conditions is a major cause of Jerusalem artichoke losses. | Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry Turk J Agric For (2014) 38: 570-580 © TÜBİTAK doi: Research Article Genotypic variability for tuber yield, biomass, and drought tolerance in Jerusalem artichoke germplasm 1 1, 1,2 1 Ruttanachira RUTTANAPRASERT , Poramate BANTERNG *, Sanun JOGLOY , Nimitr VORASOOT , 1 3 4 1 Thawan KESMALA , Rameshwar S KANWAR , Carl Corley HOLBROOK , Aran PATANOTHAI 1 Department of Plant Science and Agricultural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Muang, Khon Kaen, Thailand 2 Peanut and Jerusalem Artichoke Improvement for Functional Food Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Muang, Khon Kaen, Thailand 3 Department of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA 4 United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Coastal Plain Experiment Station, Tifton, Georgia, USA Received: Accepted: Published Online: Printed: Abstract: Jerusalem artichoke could be an alternative feedstock for bioenergy during times when there are shortages of other raw materials for the ethanol industry. However, insufficient water under rainfed conditions is a major cause of Jerusalem artichoke losses. Genetic variation for drought tolerance is an essential prerequisite for the development of Jerusalem artichoke cultivars with improved drought tolerance. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of drought stress on tuber dry weight and biomass and to investigate the genotypic variability in Jerusalem artichoke germplasm. The line-source sprinkler technique was used to compare moisture responses of a range of 40 Jerusalem artichoke genotypes grown using 3 water levels. Experiments were conducted on a Yasothon soil series in Northeast Thailand during 2010/11 and 2011/12 and included extended dry periods. Drought reduced tuber dry weight and biomass, and the .
