New tendencies in the techniques of artichoke production in SE Spain

Artichoke production in Spain is centred in La Rioja, Navarra and, particularly, in the Mediterranean regions of SE Spain, where more than 10,000 ha produce about 200,000 t per year. Production is concentrated in the period from autumn to spring and most of the produce is exported to EU countries. Ninety percent of production is from traditional Blanca de Tudela obtained by vegetative reproduction. However, due to certain productive and phytosanitary problems, which are affecting earliness, yield and quality, new alternatives are being sought. Amongst these, selected Blanca de Tudela plant material from La Rioja and Navarra and new cultivars obtained from seed are gaining in popularity. New production techniques for the cultivars obtained from seed are being tried in an attempt to solve problems related with the lateness of production, which is concentrated in spring. For this, different cultivars, planting dates and the use of gibberellin acid are being tested.