Microtuber formation in micropropagated Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus)

Clonal micropropagation of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) was initiated from axillary meristems of lateral shoots of field-grown plants on medium with MS salts, 2% sucrose, 1 mg l-1 thiamine-HCl, 1 mg l-1 IAA and 0.6% agar. Plantlets were cut into nodal sections and used for subsequent subcultures and for microtuber induction. Microtubers were induced from axillary meristems on medium with half-strength MS salts, 8% sucrose and 0.5 mg l-1 BA in darkness at 18 °C. They had near to 30% of dry matter. Microtubers resumed growth in light room at 23 °C after 4–6 months of cold storage. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.