Abstract
Algae are considered as one of the plant growth promoters and have the potential to mitigate stress due to pesticide, salt and climate change. Two field trials of cultivation of Jerusalem artichoke were carried out in spring seasons 2018 and 2019 to select the convenient growing season for possible higher production of inulin content of Jerusalem artichoke tubers in Egypt and assessment of the real impact of bio-application with consortium of Chlorella vulgaris and Anabaena oryzae as a promising source of biologically secure and plant growth-promoting agents. Planting dates in, April 2018 and 2019 were found affecting significantly the harvest index and crop components. Results confirmed that seasonal variations had highly significant (p <= 0.05) effects on vegetative parameters, protein content, total carbohydrates, extracted inulin, antioxidant activity, phenolic compound content, and biomass productivity. High air temperature and humidity stress significantly inhibited biomass productivity in May and June during both seasons. The maximum harvest index was (0.541) being higher in April than in May or June. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis showed the accumulation of inulin in Jerusalem artichoke (85%) in dry tubers. Fourier-Transform Infrared analysis showed the functional groups in the structure of extracted sugar from tubers. This is the first report of the consortium of algae as plant growth regulators to adapt J. artichoke crop, also this natural system of algae of the consortium to J. artichoke not only affects their growth, products but also soil management in the various agro-environmental areas of the world.