Production of biogass from Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.)

Današnja ekonomija se i dalje uvelike oslanja na fosilne izvore energije, koji nisu održivo rješenje uzimajući u obzir intenzitet njihovog iskorištavanja i ekološki utjecaj istog. Uvođenjem biorafinerija na globalnoj razini trgovine derivatima i opskrbom društva istim, riješio bi se problem industrijsko orijentiranog društva i sveopća ekološka kriza. Čičoka (Helianthus tuberosus L.) predstavlja biljku pogodnu za uzgoj u svrhu iskorištavanja njezine nadzemne biomase za proizvodnju bioplina, te gomolja za proizvodnju alkohola. Njezine svestrane morfološke, fiziološke i agroekološke karakteristike kao što su izuzetna otpornost na solni stres, izvrsna adaptacija na degradiranim tlima, otpornost na patogene, izvrsna sposbonost iskorištavanja vode u tlu, te mogućnost korištenja slane, odnosno morske vode u navodnjavanju iste, samo su neke od karakteristika koje doprinose njezinoj dodanoj vrijednosti i daju joj prednost u odabiru u odnosu na druge kulture. Osim uzgoja u svrhu proizvodnje obnovljivog izvora energije (bioplina) njezina agroekološka prednost u odnosu na većine kultura se očituje u njezinom fitoremedijacijskom utjecaju na degradirana tla, poboljšava njihova fizikalno-kemijska svojstva, te se takva tla nakon oporavka mogu privesti nekoj drugoj kulturi. Iako je relativno poznata kultura u Europi, tehnologija uzgoja i konkurentnost iste, u vidu proizvodnje bioplina potrebno je dodatno istražiti. Naime, potrebna su dodatna istraživanja kako bi se ispitala njezina konkuretna prednost u proizvodnji obnovljivih izvora energije te njezini potencijali na globalnoj razini.Today's economy still relies heavily on fossil energy sources, which are not a sustainable solution taking into account the intensity of their exploitation and environmental impact of the same. Introducing biorefineries on a global level would potentially solve ongoing ecological crisis and shift the mind set of the industrial-oriented society. Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) is a plant suitable for cultivation in order to exploit it's above-ground biomass for the production of biogas, and tubers for the production of alcohol. Versatile morphological, physiological and agro-ecological characteristics of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) such as exceptional resistance to salt stress, excellent adaptation to degraded soils, resistance to pathogens, excellent ability to exploit water in the soil, and the possibility of using sea water in it's irrigation, are only few of the features that contribute to it's advantage compared to other cultures. In addition to cultivating Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) for biomass, it's agro-ecological advantage over most cultures is reflected in it's phytoremedy effect on degraded soil, by improving physical and chemical properties of the soil, and such soil after recovery may lead to another culture. While it is a relatively well-known culture in Europe, cultivation technologies and competitiveness of the same, in the form of biogas production should be further explored. The additional investigations are needed to examine it's competitive advantage in the production of renewable energy and it's potential globall