Effect of plant density on biomass and grain yields in Cynara cardunculus var. altilis cultivated in Sicily
2011
Raccuia, S.A. | Gallo, G. | Melilli, M.G.
Studies focused on domestic cardoon (C. cardunculus L.) about biomass productions for energy goals in semiarid environments of the Mediterranean basin. Different lines of cardoon for biomass production are in selection at CNR - ISAFOM Catania. In this work it was evaluated one new genotype of domestic cardoon, selected to be cropped with high plant density, in order to maximize the biomass and grain yields. This trial was carried out at Caltagirone, a hilly environment of South Sicily, in 2006-08 growing seasons. The selected genotype “C5” was grown at two different plant densities (8 and 16 plant m-2). The adopted experimental design was randomized block with three replications. The crop was grown under low inputs management. The biomass was harvested on August 2007 and August 2008. At harvest on a large number of plants, for each agronomic replication, the fresh biomass weight and its partitioning were determined. Achenes were obtained trashing the capitulum. In laboratory dry matter content of each part of the plant were calculated in thermoventilated oven at 105°C. On average of all the studied factors biomass yield was 31.9 t ha-1 D.M. and achenes 2.7 t ha-1. The plant density and the age of the crop affected all the studied traits. Lowest productions per plant were recorded during the first year of cultivation. Significative effects of plant density were recorded in cumulative biomass and grain yields.
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