Agronomic innovations of globe artichoke crop for climate-change mitigation: preliminary results

The conventional cultivation of globe artichoke in the south Italy is often carried out applying high amount of nitrogen fertilizer and water to not limit the production generating appreciable impact on the agricultural sustainability. The increasingly manifest effects of climate change increase the need for the farmers to be availed with appropriate technologies and management practices that sustainably increase productivity and resilience, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The adoption of innovations in the agronomic management of the globe artichoke might contribute to the mitigation of negative issues related to climate change. In view of this, an experiment at field-scale was conducted on two artichoke hybrids (Artemisa and Capriccio) to study the effect of bio-fertilizers combined to a controlled deficit irrigation (CDI) system, as eco-friendly alternative to the conventional nutrition (chemical fertilizers) and irrigation management of the globe artichoke. The combination of biological activators containing amino acids, organic fertilizers and mycorrhizal fungi treatments was monitoring during the growing cycle of the crop to evaluate the influence on the growth and productivity of the globe artichoke in comparison with the conventional fertilization. A controlled deficit irrigation was managed using volumetric water content (VWC) sensors imposing an irrigation deficit of 5% compared to the conventional irrigation treatment. The comparison between the two cultivation systems under study showed a clear reduction in the use of nitrogen and a water-saving of 25% on average. Interestingly, it was possible to detect a lower luxuriance with the innovative management of the artichoke crop with a productivity which showed a better efficiency of the plant in terms of harvest index. Insights will concern aspects relating to the quality of the flower heads as fresh and processed product.