CYNARA CARDUNCULUS L. AS A PERENNIAL CROP FOR NON-IRRIGATED LANDS: YIELDS AND APPLICATIONS

In this work, an overview of 15 years of research on Cynara cardunculus biomass production is presented.
Taking advantage of the natural growth cycle of the species, a perennial crop system with annual harvests of the aerial biomass is put forward for non-irrigated lands of Mediterranean climates.
With this system, the main application of the crop would be the production of lignocellulosic biomass either for bioenergy or for paper-pulp production.
Biomass productivity is estimated at 14 ton dry matter ha^-1 year^-1 average according to a long-lasting experiment on Cynara cardunculus production in rainfed conditions, although the actual production of a particular year is strictly related to the rainfall.
This experiment also proved that the plant is hardy enough to overcome severe drought cycles.
Oil production from the seeds is a supplementary application of the crop.
With this crop system, 1.3 t seeds ha^-1 year^-1 can be harvested separately, with the average seed oil content 26.4% and the fatty acid oil composition similar to sunflower oil.
Another possible application of the crop is green forage production in wintertime.
Yields in forage attain 6.5 t dry matter per ha^-1 but by the winter cut results in a decrease in the yield of final dry biomass.

IV International Congress on Artichoke

J. Fernández, M. Hidalgo, J.P. del Monte, M.D. Curt

Cynara cardunculus, cardoon, crop management, biomass production

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2005.681.10