Comparative ecophysiological study of the seasonally dependent non-structural carbohydrate pool of the fructan-accumulating Helianthus tuberosus, Cichorium intybus and Dactylis glomerata

Our experimental results show that fructans play a major role in the physiological processes of the three species. The two species (Helianthus tuberosus, Cichorium intybus) belonging to the Asteraceae tend to accumulate low molecular weight oligosaccharides and the species (Dactylis glomerata) belonging to the Poaceae accumulates medium and high molecular weight oligo- and polysaccharides to increase physiological performance, stress tolerance. Taking into account the climatic and weather conditions, we concluded that the fructan production of the plants belonging to the Asteraceae investigated in North Hungary is mainly influenced by the cold, while the species belonging to the Poaceae is influenced by temperature factors and also the amount of precipitation.