Optimization of Offshoot Outgrowth in Globe Artichoke Using a Combination of Chemical and Mechanical Treatments

Abstract

The application of cytokinins is a good tool to promote axillary buds in many species, but plant decapitation or leaf cut-back are also suitable methods. This research aims to establish a strategy for artichoke cutting production using a combination of chemical and mechanical treatments. Two experiments were conducted in Tunisia to investigate the effect of 6-benzylamino purine (BAP) on shoot outgrowth in globe artichoke combined with the leaf cut-back at collar level one week after BAP treatment. The first trial was tested in a spring offshoot nursery and the second one in a field of micro-propagated mother plants grown for two years. Five treatments were tested in both experiments: BAP 0 ppm + no cut-back (T1), BAP 0, 100, 200, and 300 ppm + cut-back (T2, T3, T4, and T5 respectively). Regarding growth aspects, the highest number of offshoots was obtained in T4 for both trials with an increase of 49.2% and 37.8% compared to T2 nursery and field values, respectively. T4 also showed a faster rhythm of shoot emission and the biggest shoot size compared to the other treatments. Significant interactions between BAP treatments and offshoot size were recorded for morphological and weight parameters. Regarding the offshoot mineral composition, relevant differences were observed among BAP treatments; moreover, the higher BAP concentrations induced a significant decrease of NaCl plant uptake. Therefore, the combination of BAP 200 ppm and the leaf cut-back could be a potential method to enlarge the cutting production of globe artichoke also reducing some stressful conditions.

Trends in scientific literature on the environmental sustainability of the artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. spp.) supply chain

“…, 2021) and organo-mineral (Ierna and Mauromicale, 2013), caring the seasonality (Ierna et al. , 2020), adopting chemical and mechanical treatments (Riahi et al. , 2019) and introducing input control systems (Vasilakoglou and Dhima, 2014).…”

“…Additional considerations to increase the yield productivity in Tunisia have been provided by Riahi et al. (2019), who have discussed that the number of the globe artichoke offshoots could be increased by 49% compared with crops without treatments, by using 200 mg L -1 of kinetin and 6-benzylamino purine (BAP) plus the leaf cut-back at the collar level one week after BAP treatment.…”

“…Several authors have investigated alternative and innovative crop management strategies to increase the globe artichoke yield productivity, by adopting different fertilization rates (Ierna Source(s): Personal elaboration by the authors Table 3. Globe artichoke waste and valorization pathways et al, 2012a, 2012b), using biostimulant (Elsharkawy et al, 2021) and organo-mineral (Ierna and Mauromicale, 2013), caring the seasonality (Ierna et al, 2020), adopting chemical and mechanical treatments (Riahi et al, 2019) and introducing input control systems (Vasilakoglou and Dhima, 2014). Deligios et al (2021) have raised the need to increase the soil carbon content, making the globe artichoke cultivation more resilient to climate change.…”

Phenolic compounds from artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) byproducts: optimization of microwave assisted extraction and enrichment of table oil

“…The most recent statistics about globe artichoke in the world show that the most important producer country is Italy with more than 45,000 ha and ~440,000 t year. Traditionally globe artichoke is cultivated in Mediterranean countries, with more than 76% of the world's globe artichoke growing areas (Riahi et al, 2019). It is extensively cultivated in the Mediterranean region, constituting the 85 % of world production (Romani et al, 2016;Ruiz-Aceituno et al, 2016).…”