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Aconcagua INTA is an Argentine widespread cucurbit cultivar with high yield and suitability for the dehydration industry, developed from an interspecific cross (Cucurbita maxima x Cucurbita moschata). Its seed production involves the use of etephon in the maternal progenitor to castrate male flower organs, while the other line serves a pollen donor. Because this process is not totally effective, some hermaphrodite flowers remain in the maternal line, leading to self-pollination and –therefore- seeds of non-hybrid origin, which are phenotypically different from the hybrid. Thus, the percentage of non-hybrid seeds needs to be estimated and labelled in commercial seed lots of this cultivar. To this end, the present study analyzed, comparatively, morphological, biochemical and molecular markers that may be used for the early identification of this hybrid and its parental lines. Thus, a morphological marker based on leaf characteristics, protein profiles by UTLIEF, and the microsatellite molecular marker CMBR22, were evaluated in hybrid and parental plants. All three marker systems were able to accurately identify the hybrid and the parental lines, with results revealing 100% correspondence among the three types of markers. The protein and molecular markers developed herein represent a valuable tool for the early identification of hybrids in seed lots of cv. Aconcagua INTA.

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Jerusalem artichoke tuber is considered as a functional food due to its inulin content, and as it does not contain starch, it can be included in the diet for diabetics and its flour can be used in the manufacture of products for coeliac. The crop adapts to soil and water restrictions, which is promising for semiarid conditions. This study was conducted at INTA San Luis to evaluate the effects of planting density and response to nitrogen fertilization on yield in marginal conditions of the central semiarid Pampean region. A factorial design was carried out in blocks with two factors: density: low (20,408 plants*ha-1), medium (28,571 plants*ha-1), high (40,816 plants*ha-1); and nitrogen: unfertilized (N0) and fertilized (N75). Analysis was performed using ANOVA, LSD, and Pearson´s correlation for yield and its components. Crop emergence was approximately 100%. The highest yields (p<0.05) were for the medium (fertilized) and low density (fertilized). There was no correlation between weight and number of tubers, but there was a correlation between the yield and the number of tubers. The medium density and the fertilization produced a high number of tubers (p<0.05). A good establishment of the crop with a high production of tubers was achieved. Densities between 20,000 to 30,000 plants*ha-1 were appropriate for the conditions of the study. Fertilization and density management allow increasing the number of tubers, and therefore the yield.

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Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) belongs to the Asteraceas family. This specie is reproduced in an agamic way and produces tubers (underground stems) that are used for the plant propagation. It usually sprouts in spring and develops a large overhead structure with several stems and branches, reaching up to 4 meters in heigh. Thereafter, it produces tuberization and the overhead structure dies. Planting is done in winter at a density of 20,000 to 50,000 plants·ha-1 and the recommended depth is between 10 to 15 cm. In Jerusalem artichoke, main plant development phases are: rhizomes formation, tuberization, flowering and senescense. They are affected by weather conditions, such us temperature, radiation and photoperiod, being the latter the most important because it affects vegetative growth and tubers maturation. Although Jerusalem artichoke is very resistant to drought, tuber yield is affected by water deficit, especially if it occurs at flowering or during tubers growth. Crop water requirements is 1,250 mm. Jerusalem artichoke is very efficient in nutrient uptake.

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Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is an annual crop from which tubers are mainly used. Yield ranges from 30 to 100 t·ha-1. Four uses can be given to this species: food, forage, industrial products (inulin) and fuel production (ethanol). It is not widespread as a vegetable crop, but it could be considered as a functional food because of its high inulin content (16 to 20 % in fresh weight). As a forage it is mainly used in pigs fatenning, it has no nutritional advantages compared with other species, but it grows better under poor conditions. It is considered one of the main sources of inulin, associated with its high tuber carbohydrate content and its high yield. It is also considered an energy crop for its potential to produce ethanol. Fifty tons of tubers could produce 4,500 liters of ethanol. The stablishment of the crop usually is done in early spring; plant population could range from 20,000 to 50,000 plants·ha-1. Tuber pieces sprout as well as entire tubers, optimum tuber piece size is around 50 g. Crop production needs large amounts of potassium, nitrogen and calcium. Tuber yield is highly sensitive to drought during emergence and late tuber growth. Weeds, insects and diseases are generally not a problem for Jerusalem artichoke. There are many cultivars of this species registered around the world, but not in Argentine, neither a characterization of the available materials in relation to the different uses that can be given to this species.