Determination of the green forage yield and quality characteristics of jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) at different harvesting times in Isparta ecological conditions

This study was carried out in 2023 vegetation period in Isparta to determine the effects of different harvest times (beginning of flowering, 50% flowering, full flowering) on feed efficiency and quality characteristics in two different red and white local Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) populations under Isparta ecological conditions. It was carried out in the trial areas of the Agricultural Education, Research and Application Farm of the University of Sciences. The experiment was set up with 3 replications according to the factorial trial design in random blocks. In the research, plant height, plant stem diameter, number of leaves per plant, leaf width, leaf length, tuber yield per decare, green grass yield, hay yield, crude protein ratio and crude protein yield were examined. In terms of harvest times, the highest number of leaves is at the beginning of flowering (50.33) and 50% is during the flowering period (45.63); highest leaf width at the beginning of flowering (10.28 cm) and at the 50% flowering stage (10.12 cm); The highest leaf length is 20.80 cm at the beginning of flowering; The highest tuber yield is in the full bloom period with 2320.68 kg/da; The highest green grass yield is at the beginning of flowering with 1703.02 kg/da; The highest hay yield was 622.61 kg/da during the 50% flowering period and 591.53 kg/da at the beginning of flowering; The highest crude protein content is 6.86% at the beginning of flowering and 6.69% at the 50% flowering period; The highest crude protein yields were obtained at the beginning of flowering with 40.43 kg/da and at the 50% flowering period with 41.65 kg/da. When all the data were evaluated together in terms of harvest times, it was concluded that it would be appropriate to harvest Jerusalem artichokes at the beginning of flowering and 50% flowering period in terms of forage yield and quality, and at full bloom in terms of tuber yield. In terms of tuber colors, the highest leaf width (9.91 cm) and crude protein ratio (6.62%) values were in the red tuber population; The highest hay yield (559.63 kg/da) was obtained in the white tuber population. As a matter of fact, it was determined that the white tuber population had superior values in terms of feed efficiency and the red tuber population had superior values in terms of feed quality. Key Words: Jerusalem artichoke, Yield and quality characteristics, Green grass yield, Dry grass yield