ISHS Acta Horticulturae 681: IV International Congress on Artichoke
FIELD TECHNOLOGIES FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION OF ARTICHOKE (CYNARA SCOLYMUS L.) IN GERMANY |
| Authors: | L. Halter, R. Habegger, W.H. Schnitzler |
| Keywords: | cultivar evaluation, plant material, annual culture, yield |
| Abstract:
Suitable field technologies are necessary for the production of artichokes in Germany. Annual cultures are of special interest as temperatures as low as –20 °C limit the possibilities of perennial cropping. Available seed cultivars as well as selected vegetatively propagated clones have been evaluated. Data was taken on earliness, harvest period, total yield as well as homogeneity and quality of heads. All cultivars grown from seed produced heads during the first season. The green globe types were of good quality and heads sufficiently homogenous. The yield reached 10 to 12 t per hectare. The variety “Green Globe” proved satisfactory in both seasons. Harvest started at the beginning of July and went on until the end of September. The harvest period for fresh market lasted 6 weeks with yield per plant exceeding 1000 g of product. The green types were attractive in appearance but clearly distinguishable from vegetatively propagated material. However, no difference was found concerning the edible part and dry matter. Purple seed cultivars produced mainly unmarketable off-types and cannot be recommended for production. Off-shoots also produced in the same season but the harvest started late. Although it went on over an extended period, the total yield only reached 60-85 % of “Green Globe”. An exception was “Carčne”. This clone produced early and total yield was higher than for “Green Globe”. This variety has very compact heads of excellent quality and proved suitable for production in annual cultures if plant material is available at the time of planting in spring. According to the results, artichokes can be grown as annual culture in Germany. The use of green cultivars can be recommended as they produce good quality and high yield. The use of off-shoots is more difficult due to the limited yield and difficulties to obtain plant material at the right time. Artichokes are an economically interesting crop when grown in annual cultures and suitable production technologies are available. | |
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