Abstract
Cynara cardunculus is a perennial plant that adapts well to Mediterranean climate conditions. The possibility of cultivating C. cardunculus with low or zero input and in low productivity or marginal lands makes it one of the most promising crops for bioenergy production in the Mediterranean areas. The objective of the research was to study the effects of two marginal and contrasting southern Italian environments (plain, 42 m a.s.l. and hilly area, 419 m a.s.l.) during a three-year period on biomass, seed, energy yield, and oil composition of two genotypes of C. cardunculus (cultivated cardoon and wild cardoon). When compared to the plain, plants that were grown in the hills gave higher biomass yield (10.9 vs. 9.7 t DM ha−1 year−1), higher seed yield (0.46 vs. 0.44 t DM ha−1 year−1) and, consequently, higher total energy yield (190 vs. 172 GJ ha−1 year−1), attributable to higher average annual rainfall (680 vs. 565 mm year−1). The season, although only evaluated for three years (short cycle), showed a different effect based on the genotype, highlighting a greater over-time production constancy of wild cardoon (though less yielding) as compared to cultivated cardoon. Oil yield and composition were only slightly affected by environment and genotype. Overall, the results of this research suggest using C. cardunculus in marginal hilly areas, where, in addition to the production of bioenergy, it may represent a good chance to fight erosion and improve soil fertility, without competing with food crops.
Highlights
Cynara cardunculus L. is a member of the Asteraceae family, including the globe artichoke [C. cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Fiori], the cultivated cardoon [C. cardunculus L. var. altilis DC.], and their ancestor, the wild cardoon [C. cardunculus L. var. sylvestris (Lamk) Fiori] [1,2,3]
The season, only evaluated for three years, showed a different effect based on the genotype, highlighting a greater over-time production constancy of wild cardoon as compared to cultivated cardoon
Regardless of seasons, the plants grown in the hilly area provided greater aerial biomass (10.9 vs. 9.7 t DM ha−1 year−1 ) when compared to the ones grown on the plain
Summary
Cynara cardunculus L. is a member of the Asteraceae family, including the globe artichoke [C. cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Fiori], the cultivated cardoon [C. cardunculus L. var. altilis DC.], and their ancestor, the wild cardoon [C. cardunculus L. var. sylvestris (Lamk) Fiori] [1,2,3]. In addition to the traditional use for food [4,5], in recent years cultivated and wild cardoon have been considered for different industrial applications These include for the production of cellulose, pulp, and paper, use in animal feeding, use of florets in the dairy industry, extraction of inulin and phytochemicals for pharmacological and cosmetic use [2,6,7], as well as use for its antimicrobial and bioherbicide action [8,9]. It is as a bioenergy crop that C. cardunculus is most promising in southern areas of Europe in relation to good adaptation to Mediterranean climate conditions of low rainfall and hot dry summers. In Mediterranean environments, C. cardunculus is able to provide high biomass, seed, and energy yields under low external
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
