EFFECT OF COMPOST RATES AND TOPPING TREATMENTS ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE UNDER SANDY SOIL CONDITIONS

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during the summer seasons of 2013 and 2014 at the Experimental Farm at El-Kassasin, Hort. Station Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, to study the effect of compost fertilizer at 3, 6 and 9 ton/fed. and topping frequency (without , once and twice) on growth, shoot chemical composition, yield components (tubers and shoots), tuber quality and blade anatomy of Jerusalem artichoke plants (Helianthus tuberosus L.) cv. Fuseau grown in sandy soil and using drip irrigation system was used. Fertilizing Jerusalem artichoke plants grown in sandy soil with compost at 9 ton/fed. and un topped plants significantly increased plant height , both fresh and dry weight of shoots , N, P and K content(%) and uptake by shoots and total protein (%) in shoots, average tuber weight, yield per plant and per fed., dry matter, total carbohydrates and total sugars, as well as inulin content in tuber in both seasons and leaf blade parameters in the second season only. In addition, this treatment recorded the best economic traits (average two seasons). While the interaction between compost at 9 ton/fed. and topping plant twice recorded the highest yield of shoots and numbers per plant in both seasons. The interaction between compost at 9 ton /fed. and topping plants once came in the second rank for the most abovementioned traits. On the other hand, the least values of plant growth, chemical constituents in shoots , yield and its components and tuber quality were recorded with the plants which fertilized with compost at 3 ton /fed., and topping plants twice number. Conclusively, it could be concluded that, fertilizing Jerusalem artichoke plants grown in sandy soil with compost at 9 ton/fed. and un topped plants to obtain high yield of tubers and best quality as well as net return under the same conditions.