ECOPHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HELIANTHUS TUBEROSUS L. AND ASSESSMENT OF ITS CULTIVATION PROSPECTIVITY IN KARELIA
Gas exchange study of Jerusalem artichoke Helianthus tuberosus L. var. Skorospelka revealed high intensity of photosynthetic apparatus functioning over a wide temperature range. Temperature response of photosynthesis and its interaction with light intensity testifies to the plasticity of Helianthus tuberosus photosynthetic apparatus. The stability of photosynthetic activity of plants in a wide range of light intensity and temperature ensures successful growing of Helianthus tuberosus far outside its native range. Plants die at temperatures below 1°C. Temperatures from 2 to 18°C increase cold hardening of Helianthus tuberosus. In conditions of a long day Helianthus tuberosus detains tuber and flower formation which makes its cultivation as a tuberiferous culture in Karelia useless. However, due to high adaptive capacity and photosynthetic plasticity of the species it is possible to obtain high yields of biomass under long days in Karelia. Potentially Helianthustuberosus can be cultivated in Karelia up to 65°N.