¹Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
²Peanut and Jerusalem Artichoke Improvement for Functional Food Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
³Crop Genetics and Breeding Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Tifton, Georgia, USA
⁴Plant Production Technology, Faculty of Technology, Udon Thani Rajabhat University, Udon Thani, Thailand
*Corresponding author’s email: daruneepom(at)gmail.com
Email addresses of coauthors: psongsri(at)gmail.com, sanjogloy(at)gmail.com, corley.holbrook(at)ars.usda.gov

SUMMARY

Mutation induced by radiation may result in increased variation in Jerusalem artichoke. The objective of this study was to determine the LD₅₀ and effect of gamma rays on growth and tuber yield of two Jerusalem artichoke genotypes HEL 65 and CN 52867. The experimental design was a completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 replications. The results demonstrated that LD50 for the genotypes HEL 65 and CN 52867 were 22 and 27 Grays (Gy), respectively. The radiation treatments did not change flower characters in either genotype. Germination percentage and plant height in both genotypes were decreased by increasing the radiation dose. In contrast, the number of branches was increased with higher gamma radiation doses (20 and 25 Gy). Gamma ray radiation at 5 Gy increased tuber yield in both Jerusalem artichoke genotypes. The present study indicated that gamma radiation might be useful for improvement of important traits such as yield in Jerusalem artichoke.
 
Key words: Helianthus tuberosus L., irradiation, plant height, fresh tuber yield

Key findings:
The LD₅₀ for Jerusalem artichoke genotypes HEL 65 and CN 52867 were 22 and 27 Gy, respectively. Plant height and germination percentage decreased with increasing doses of gamma rays. Low dose at 5 Gy could be used to increase tuber yield of these two genotypes of Jerusalem artichoke.

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