ISHS Acta Horticulturae 681: IV International Congress on Artichoke
ARTICHOKE LEAVES USED FOR HERBAL DRUG PRODUCTION: INFLUENCE OF NITROGEN FERTILIZATION ON YIELD AND ON PHARMACEUTICAL QUALITY |
| Authors: | C. Baier, J. Eich, M. Grün, D. Wagenbreth, R. Zimmermann |
| Keywords: | Cynara cardunculus, nitrogen rate, caffeoylquinic acids, flavonoids, nitrate, nitrogen uptake |
| Abstract:
For manufacturing high-quality extracts of artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. cv. scolymus and cv. cardunculus) drug, special leaf cultures grown exclusively for pharmaceutical purposes are required. In order to optimize the cultivation, the influence of nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate on yield and pharmaceutical quality was studied in two field experiments using a cardoon accession at different locations in Germany in 1998. In a randomized complete block design, a control without any N application and 6 N rates with a varied split first rate of 40 to 240 kg•ha-1 and a constant second rate of 50 kg•ha-1 were tested. The first N rate was applied half at sowing and the balance at 5 leaf stage, and the second rate after the first harvest. As parameters of quality of leaf drug, the contents of caffeoylquinic acids (CQA), flavonoids, N and nitrate, respectively, were determined. At both locations the same effects were observed. The N supply influences yield and quality in a different manner. The yield of leaf drug of the first and second harvest improved with increasing N fertilizer rates. The highest contents of CQA and flavonoids were obtained without any N addition, whereas the values decreased with increasing N rates. The N and nitrate concentrations measured in the drug correlated positively with N fertilizer amounts applied. The values of yield, content of CQA and flavonoids varied between the control and the highest N level as follows: first harvest: 2.1 – 3.3 t•ha-1; 4.5 – 2.0 %; 0.8 – 0.5 %; second harvest: 2.5 – 4.1 t•ha-1; 2.7 – 1.5 %, 0.8 – 0.5 %. As a guideline the following N fertilization is proposed to achieve an adequate yield and an acceptable pharmaceutical quality: N fertilizer up to a maximum of 80 to 120 kg•ha-1 should be applied prior to and 50 kg•ha-1 after the first harvest. | |
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