Evaluation of yield, earliness and head characteristics of clones of bull variant plants coming from a population of 'blanca de tudela' artichokes

Two trials were carried out in the Vega Baja del Segura (SE Spain coast) to study the earliness, yield and head weight of 26 clones of bull variant plants coming from a population of 'Blanca de Tudela' artichokes. Ten clones were studied in a completely randomized experimental design with three plots per clone (experiment 1). In another trial the remaining clones were observed in one single plot (experiment 2). The plantation took place on 1st August. The different clones began production throughout January or February. Heads were harvested every 9 days approximately. In experiment 1, the winter and final productions (production accumulated up to February 28th and up to the end of May, when harvesting was finished) were 798 g/plant (1.82 heads/plant) and 3083 g/plant (8, 88 heads/plant), respectively. In experiment 2, these productions were 691 g/plant (1.6 heads/plant) and 3081 g/plant (9.13 heads/plant). The head weight in the first trial was 463 g if only winter production was considered, and 356 g considering the whole production. In experiment 2, these head weights were 443 and 339 g. In experiment 1, the effect of the clone is significant on the winter production, when this is weighed in heads per plant, and on head weight. In some clones these characteristics reached the following values: 3.92 head/plant (winter production), 665 g/head (considering winter production only) and 434 g/head (considering the whole production). The significance of the effect of the clone suggests the existence of genetic variation that can be exploited by selection. Nevertheless, the absence of an autumn (early) production has been a great disappointment.