Th is study investigated biomass yield and growth characteristics of 26 Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) clones and assessed it as a bioenergy crop for a semiarid region of the Loess Plateau in China. Genotype, year, and genotype × year interaction contributed to diff erences in crop development, growth characteristics, and biomass yields (dry matter). Generally, biomass yields in 2011 were lower than in 2008, mainly due to a more severe soil moisture defi cit in 2011. Shoot and tuber biomass yields (STBY) ranged from 18.9 to 35.0 Mg ha -1 in 2008 and from 16.1 to 24.8 Mg ha -1 in 2011. Clones HUB-2 and BJ-4 produced the highest shoot biomass yield (SBY), amounting to 31.3 and 25.6 Mg ha -1 , respectively, in the wetter year but higher drought sensitivity. Clones HUN-2, SD-2, and SHH-1 produced the second highest SBY, which varied between 14.3 and 20.1 Mg ha -1 . Clones GZ-1, HEN-1, HUB-1, IM-1, and SX-2 are recommended for tuber production and produced tuber yields >8 Mg ha -1 in both seasons. Clones SD-2 and SHH-1 exhibited drought sensitivity indices <1.00, indicating that they were less sensitive to drought combined with a good yield level. Biplot analysis showed that HUB-2 and BJ-4 were the best performers in STBY and SBY. A combination of physiological traits associated with high STBY and drought tolerance may be most promising for further selection in a breeding program. To make a full assessment under more extreme conditions, we recommend a multiyear experiment at similar locations.Abbreviations: DSI, drought susceptibility index; SBY, shoot biomass yield; STBY, shoot and tuber biomass yield; WP, water productivity.

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The study was aimed to evaluate the potential of existing genotypes of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) as biomass feedstock for ethanol production. We investigated the biomass productivity and chemical composition of twenty-six Jerusalem artichoke clones grown in a semi-arid region of China. Jerusalem artichoke was demonstrated to be a sustainable feedstock for bioethanol production. All structural and non-structural carbohydrates in whole plant of Jerusalem artichoke could be 5000 L/ha. The above-ground biomass of Jerusalem artichoke could be a promising feedstock for cellulosic ethanol. The ethanol potential yield from cellulose and hemicellulose in aboveground biomass were 1821 to 5930 L/ha, contributing 29.8-66.4% of the total ethanol yield, which could be as high as that from switchgrass and sweet sorghum stem. Large variation among the investigated genotypes for carbohydrates makes it possible to select suitable clones to be used in bioethanol production in semiarid regions. Clones HB-3, HEN-3, IM-1, SC-1, SHX-3, SX-2 and ZJ-2 yielded tuber total soluble sugar higher than 4.0 t/ha. Clones BJ-4, HUB-2, HUN-2, QH-1, SD-2 and SHH-1 produced more than 5.0 t/ha cellulose and hemicellulose in above-ground biomass. Clones BJ-4 and HUB-2 have the highest ethanol potential based on structural carbohydrates. These clones were promising material if used as biofuel feedstock in this growth condition.