Qualitative and quantitative development of carbohydrate reserves during the biological cycle of jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) tubers

A dry matter (DM) assay along with a qualitative and quantitative carbohydrate study were conducted on two Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) cultivars—‘Kharkov’ and ‘Violet de Rennes’. In addition to sucrose, glucose, and fructose, some inulin-type glucofructosans were detected at all stages of development of the tubers. The carbohydrate content was found to average from 65 to 80% DM. The tubers lose a fraction of their carbohydrates in winter—27.6% for ‘Kharkov’ and 35.6% for ‘Violet de Rennes’. © 1994 The Royal Society of New Zealand.