ISHS Acta Horticulturae 681: IV International Congress on Artichoke
THE INFLUENCE OF IRRIGATION WATER QUANTITIES ON THE PRODUCTION AND QUALITY OF THE ´BLANCA DE TUDELA´ ARTICHOKE |
| Authors: | J.I. Macua, I. Lahoz, J. Garnica |
| Keywords: | Artichoke, irrigation dose, yield, quality |
| Abstract:
The artichoke is a highly traditional crop in Navarra’s irrigated regions, home to the “Blanca de Tudela” variety, the most-grown variety in Spain and even other artichoke-producing countries. Due to a growing need for rationalisation in water consumption, this study shows the results of two tests performed in the 97-98 and the 98-99 seasons to analyse the influence of irrigation doses on the “Blanca de Tudela” artichoke variety in terms of both production and quality. Five different doses applied by sprinkler wing were studied. Results for the two seasons proved similar, the different irrigation doses bearing influence on total yield but not on earliness. Total yields ranged from 20 to 6 tonnes/ha in the 97-98 season, corresponding to the greatest and the smallest irrigation doses (601 and 21 l/m2), while the 98-99 season gave figures of between 19 and 11 tonnes/ha ( 630 and 40 l/m2). In terms of quality, dry residue and fibre, percentages were analysed at three points during the harvesting period (March to June), the highest figures for both parameters coming from the smallest water doses. Although water quantities have a great influence over production, significant yield differences do not appear until a reduction of more than 40% of the largest applied dose has been made. Lower doses give significantly lower total yields. These differences are mainly due to the number of inflorescences rather than weight. This is because harvesting takes place when commercial size (diameters of 60-65 mm) has been reached, consistent average weights of between 95 and 100 grams being true for all cases. | |
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