Effects of Different Plastic Mulching Films on Seed Propagated Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) Production

Abstract

The seed propagated artichoke is sometimes used in Spain to extend the cropping season into the summer months, as with the most used cultivar, the asexually propagated ‘Blanca de Tudela’, the crop finishes at the end of May or the beginning of June. It is also possible to fill a similar cycle of the ‘Blanca de Tudela’ during autumn and winter with gibberellic acid (GA) treatments. The use of mulching is an interesting technique to reduce water consumption and herbicide utilization. This technique is of great importance within the concept of sustainable agriculture. The agronomical effects of the mulching film system (black polyethylene and co-extruded polyethylene (white and black) and the non-mulching system have been compared on artichoke (cv ‘Imperial Star’) from seed in two cycles. Within the spring cycle, two transplanting dates (6th February and 9th March) have been studied. Within the autumn cycle, only one date (12th July) has been studied, spraying the plants with GA. The spring cycle turned out to be less productive than the autumn one. In the spring cycle no differences in yield were detected but head weight was higher with black polyethylene mulching. In the summer transplant, the use of black polyethylene mulching film increases the post-transplant failure of plants and has a slowdown effect on plant growth, significantly reducing yields. No differences were observed in external quality parameters.