Evaluation of yield and tuber functionality in short-term cultivation of Chinese artichoke using propagated cuttings

The Chinese artichoke (Stachys affinis) is a vegetable that is also used as a medicinal plant. There are two major problems in growing Chinese artichoke. One is the re-infection of viruses when propagating virus-free seed tubers, and the other is too long a cultivation period before harvest. The application of rooted cuttings technology to tuber production could allow virus-free cuttings to be propagated annually and planted at any time of the year. We showed that 100% of the cuttings were rooted within 14 days when the electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution was less than 0.42 dS center dot m-1. There was no significant difference in yield or tuber size between tubers derived from rooted cuttings and those derived from seed tubers (the conventional method of cultivation). Although the yield of rooted cuttings planted in July, August and September decreased slightly with delayed planting time, tubers of marketable size were harvested even when planted in September, the shortest growing season. The stachyose content, polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of the tubers did not differ significantly with planting time. In conclusion, short-term cultivation of Chinese artichoke using rooted cuttings is feasible for commercial tuber production.