ISHS Acta Horticulturae 533: VIII International Symposium on Timing Field Production in Vegetable Crops
HEAD CHARACTERISTICS OF GLOBE ARTICHOKE (CYNARA SCOLYMUS L.) AS RELATED TO GROWTH STAGE |
| Authors: | G. Mauromicale, S.A. Raccuia, V. Cavallaro |
| Keywords: | Head size, receptacle, bracts, crude fibre, crude protein, total sugars, ash |
| Abstract:
The objective of the present research was to study the variations of some head characteristics of globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) in relation to their development stage, defined as height of the central flower buds of the central part of receptacle. Two cultivars for spring production, 'Romanesco' from Italy, and 'Blanc Hyèrois' from France, were grown in a field at Siracusa (36° 58' N, 15° 11' E, 48 m a. s. l.) in Sicily. Heads at different development stages from "B" to "E", were harvested at the same time for each cultivar in the field. On heads, whole and/or their fractions, fresh and dry weight, length, width and height of the flower buds, were collected. In addition, crude protein, crude fibre, total sugars and ashes were determined. As the height of the flower buds on receptacle increased, head fresh weight (whole or of its fractions bracts and receptacle), size (length and width), and DM content linearly and significantly increased. Crude protein increased in receptacle and decreased in bracts, crude fibre increased in both receptacle and bracts, total sugars increased linearly up to a flower height of 15 mm in 'Blanc Hyèrois' and after this stage in 'Romanesco', ashes decreased in both cultivars and head fractions. Regardless of head development stage and in both cultivars, receptacle contained more dry matter, crude protein and total sugars and less crude fibre and ashes than bracts. | |
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