ANNUAL ARTICHOKE CULTURE IN GERMANY

Artichoke production in Germany is of increasing interest because, being a delicacy crop with high pharmaceutical impact, it offers interesting economic possibilities. However, cold central European winter climates limit the possibility of perennial cropping. New cultivation methods will be necessary. Different physical methods to promote earliness in annual cultures have been compared in this study using the seed cultivar “Green Globe”. The trials were carried out at the research station Dürnast, TUM-Weihenstephan during the seasons 1999 and 2000. The effect of black PE-mulch, non-woven cover and combinations of both upon earliness, yield per harvest and total marketable yield were evaluated. Marketable artichokes were harvested in all treatments. Significant differences existed between mulched and unmulched soil. Harvest was advanced more than a week by mulching. The plants were more vigorous and produced significantly more heads. Total marketable yield was increased, varying between 8 and 12 t/ha, according to treatment in both seasons. Head size was not influenced by the treatments. The quality of the harvested heads was good with head weights between 300 g and 400 g for primary heads. It has been shown that annual cultures of artichokes using transplants are possible (Halter and Schnitzler, 2000). The use of black PE-mulch can be recommended to promote earliness and increase yield. Suitable cultural practises are available to produce quality artichokes from seed during the summer months in Germany in the open field.