New clones of Helianthus tuberosus enlarge options for the sustainable integration of bioenergy crops in current farming systems of central Italy

Abstract

Among the few species eligible to become dedicated bioenergy crops, Helianthus tuberosus L. (Ht) may become an alternative to dismissed maize or sugar beet or grape cropping systems. The efficiency of Ht stalk and tuber biomass production depends, among other factors, on plant density and water resources supply. Ht clones expressing new structure for plant architecture and phenological phases were selected to explore a range of farm production environments in Central Italy, differing mainly for the air temperature and rainfall patterns. In those environments the new clones are suitable for high stalk-biomass and high tuber-biomass production to be transformed in biofuel.