Regenerative capacity of rhizomes and tubers from two populations of Helianthus tuberosus L. (Jerusalem artichoke)

Summary The regenerative responses of rhizomes and tubers from two populations of Helianthus tuberosus L. to burial and fragmentation were studied in field experiments. The regeneration of both populations varied with planting depth and stage of growth at which fragmentation occurred. Shoots of both populations emerged from rhizomes or tubers planted to depths of 30 cm. The percentage of tubers that regenerated was higher than that of rhizomes, particularly from deeper planting depths. The regeneration from rhizomes and tubers of a riverbank population was greater than that of a‘weedy’population. Rhizomes and tubers from both populations that had failed to produce shoots I year after planting were found to have decomposed completely. The significance of these results in relation to the distribution and control of H. tuberosus is discussed.