Authors: Gerald J Seiler Larry G Campbell
Publish Date: 2006/08/24
Volume: 150, Issue: 1-2, Pages: 281-288
Abstract
One of the potential uses of Jerusalem artichoke Helianthus tuberosus L is as a forage crop Information on inherent differences in forage nutritional quality is essential if the quality of the forage is to be improved through breeding The objectives of this study were to determine the genotypic variability among and within forage of Jerusalem artichoke cultivars for the concentration of N P Ca Mg K and the Ca/P ratio at flowering to determine if selection among and within cultivars is feasible to estimate the magnitude of the genotype × environment interaction and to examine the relationships among mineral concentrations in the forage Ten cultivated Jerusalem artichoke cultivars grown in an irrigated field nursery at Bushland TX were evaluated for N P Ca Mg K and the Ca/P ratio in the forage at flowering over a 2yr period Cultivars cultivar × year and error variances were estimated to calculate the phenotypic variance Estimates of the withinpopulation variances were also determined The adequacy of Jerusalem artichoke forage at flowering for maintenance of a ruminant animal was classified as follows N Ca Mg K as adequate P inadequate and the Ca/P ratio as excessive There were genotypic differences among the ten cultivars for N P Ca Mg K and the Ca/P ratio for both years and averaged across years The magnitude of the genotypic variance components indicated that a substantial proportion of the total variation for these elements was due to cultivar indicating the possibility of improving these elements However further studies on heritability and response to selection will be required before conclusions can be reached concerning the likelihood of successfully breeding for these traits
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