jerusalem artichoke
Other Common Names Include:
Tuberous sunflower, sunchoke
Latin Name: Helianthus tuberosus
Plant Family: Asteraceae
Close Relatives: Sunflower (Helianthus annuus), globe artichoke
Uses and Markets: Culinary (edible tubers). Inulin from tubers and stalks has various applications, including: industrial (bioplastics); natural health product industry (soluble fibre); bioenergy (bio-ethanol)
Production Life Cycle in Ontario
Perennial; harvested annually.
Hardiness Zone
4
Special Notes
Volunteer Jerusalem artichokes are very competitive and volunteers in following crops can be a problem.
Propagation method
Tubers planted at a depth of 10-15 cm.
Greenhouse Seeding/Propagation Dates
N/A
Field Seeding Date:
Early spring (seed tubers).
Field Transplanting Dates
N/A
In-row spacing
30-60 cm
Between row spacing
45 – 120 cm
Optimal Soil temperature at planting
6-7˚C
Fertility
No current Ontario fertility recommendations exist. Research and recommendations from outside Ontario do not necessarily apply to Ontario growing conditions. Research from Italy and China suggests an optimal nitrogen rate of 25 to 50 kg/ha. Click here for phosphorus and potassium application guidelines and for more information on specialty crop fertility.
Soil type
Well drained soils.
Soil pH
4.5 – 8.2, prefers slight alkalinity.
Special requirements for growth habit
Hilled
Optimal Temperature Range
Temperate climate.
Temperature sensitivity
Below 5°C tubers become dormant.
Irrigation requirements
Irrigation usually not required.
Days to harvest
Cultivar dependent, typically 125 days.
Specialized equipment
Potato Planter, Potato Harvester.
Harvest
Harvest Scheduling
Single Harvest (late fall)
Hand harvest or machine harvest
Machine Harvest
Quality parameters/grades
No established grades.
Additional Harvest Notes
Remove tops after first frost, prior to tuber harvest.
Post harvest
Special handling/curing
Minimal handling to avoid injury and bruising. Proper storage needed to minimize crop loss.
Storage Conditions
Relative humidity (RH): 95%
Temperature: 0-2°C (fresh herb)
Air Exchange: N/A
Duration: 4-5 months
Specific pests observed on this crop in Ontario (observations based on limited experience with this crop)
Insects and Invertebrates: Slugs*
Diseases: Powdery mildew; Sclerotinia rot - postharvest (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, S. minor)
Other:
Other Potential Pests: The following pests have not been observed on this crop in Ontario. However, they are either significant concerns for closely related plants in Ontario, or are reported on this crop in other production areas. This is not a comprehensive list of all potential pests. Not all of these pests will necessarily survive Ontario’s climate, but could potentially survive in a protected environment (e.g. greenhouse, storage facility).
Insects and Invertebrates:
Diseases: Rust* (e.g. Puccinia helianthi), stem blights (especially Sclerotium rolfsii*), sclerotinia wilt/rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, S. minor), bacterial leaf chlorosis* (Pseudomonas syringae), postharvest fungal and bacterial rots*(e.g. Erwinia carotovora, Fusarium spp., Botrytis cinearia, Rhizopus stolonifer, R. tritici, S. rolfsii, S. sclerotiorum)
Other: Birds, deer, rabbits
*Indicates pests commonly mentioned as causing significant damage or economic loss to this crop in other regions.
Comments
To date the following pests have been the most significant in Ontario: powdery mildew. Varieties differ in susceptibility to various pests, including powdery mildew. This crop is susceptible to many of the same pests as sunflower. This crop is in Crop Group 1: Root and Tuber Vegetables Group, subgroup 1C: Tuberous and Corm Vegetables Subgroup and subgroup 1D: Tuberous and Corm Vegetables (Except Potato) Subgroup. For more information on Crop Groups, refer to the Pest section. Always refer to product labels, and follow all directions specified on the label, before applying any pest control product. For more information, consult an OMAFRA specialist.
Tubers left in the ground will provide growth for next season’s crop, but must be aggressively controlled (e.g. early season mowing), if growth is not desired.
- McKeown, A., J. Todd, and C. Bakker. 2010. Agronomic research on Jerusalem artichoke. University of Guelph, unpublished.
- Todd, J. A. McKeown, E Elford, C. Briens, L. Rehmann, P. Charpentier and F. Berutti. 2011. Valorization of Alternative Ontario Crops: High Value Biofuels and Bio-Chemicals from Jerusalem Artichoke via Extraction, Fermentation and Pyrolysis. University of Guelph, University of Western Ontario and OMAFRA. Unpublished
- Kai, G., TieXia, Z. and H. GuoDong. 2011. Water and nitrogen interactively increased the biomass production of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) in semi-arid area. African Journal of Biotechnology 10: 6466-6472.
- Kay, Stanley J., and Nottingham, Stephen F. 2008. Biology and Chemistry of Jerusalem Artichoke Helianthus tuberous L. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press.
- Losavio, N., Lamascese, N., Chartzoulakis, K.S. and A.V. Vonella. 1997. Water requirements and nitrogen fertilization in Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) grown under Mediterranean conditions. Acta Horticulturae 449: 205-209.
- OMAF and MRA. 1994. Jerusalem Artichoke Factsheet. http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/94-077.htm
- OMAF and MRA. 2003. Ontario Weeds: Jerusalem artichoke. http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/ontweeds/jerusalem_artichoke.htm
- Schulthesis, Jonathen R. 1999. Growing Jerusalem Artichokes. NC State University: Horticulture Information Leaflets.
- Whiteford, Philip C. 1973. Jerusalem Artichoke: A Versatile Food and Cover Plant. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 4:30-31
