HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Seiler, G. J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Seiler, G. J. Agricola Articles by Seiler, G. J.

Nitrogen and Mineral Content of Selected Wild and Cultivated Genotypes of Jerusalem Artichoke

USDA-ARS, Conservation and Production Res. Lab., P.O. Drawer 10, Bushland, TX 79012

^* Corresponding author.

Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) can be a weed in pastures and crops or used as silage, but little is known about its N and mineral content and their contribution to forage quality. This study evaluated 19 wild and cultivated genotypes of perennial Jerusalem artichoke for protein and mineral concentrations at various stages of maturity, and compared these to an annual cultivated sunflower (H. annuus L.), ‘Hybrid 894’. The field experiment was conducted on Pullman clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Torrertic Paleustoll) at Bushland, TX. The 19 perennial genotypes and the commercial sunflower, Hybrid 894, were planted in pure stands. Leaves, stems, and whole plants were evaluated at vegetative, flowering, and fruiting stages to ascertain their nutritive value for ruminants. Crude protein (CP) concentrations of 140 g kg^–1 and above occurred in leaves of 11 of 19 genotypes at the vegetative stage. Fifteen of the 19 genotypes had whole plant CP of 60 to 90 g kg^–1 at all stages of maturity. Nutritionally adequate amounts of Ca (2– 8.6 g kg^–1) were present in leaves, stems, and whole plants of all genotypes at all stages of maturity. Nutritionally adequate amounts of Mg (1 g kg^–1) and K (6.5 g kg^–1) were present in leaves and whole plants of most genotypes at all stages of maturity. Leaves, stems, and whole plants of most genotypes had suboptimal P (<2 g kg^–1) levels for ruminants at all stages of maturity. Nutritionally adequate amounts of CP, Ca, Mg, and P were present in whole seeds of most genotypes. At varying maturity stages, nutrient levels of some artichoke genotypes are comparable to that of cultivated sunflower. Whether Jerusalem artichoke is mixed with other forbs or grasses in a pasture or hay, or whether it is used as silage, it appears to have the potential to provide a satisfactory nutrition level for ruminants.

Key Words: Forbs • Helianthus tuberosus • Crude protein • Calcium • Phosphorus • Magnesium • Potassium

Received for publication August 14, 1987.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. J. Seiler and L. G. Campbell Genetic Variability for Mineral Element Concentrations of Wild Jerusalem Artichoke Forage Crop Sci., January 1, 2004; 44(1): 289 - 292. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]