INFLUENCE OF GENOTYPE ON BIOMASS PRODUCTION AND POLYPHENOLS OF ARTICHOKE AND CARDOON

Cynara is a relatively small genus comprising two important crops: globe artichoke (C. cardunculus L. subsp. scolymus (L.) Fiori) and cultivated cardoon (C. cardunculus L. var. altilis DC.). The chemical components of artichoke leaves have been studied extensively and have been found to be a rich source of polyphenolic compounds. Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in the hydroponic floating trays system due to the advantage of cultivation of globe artichoke for leaf biomass production with shorter cycles. Three artichoke (‘Romolo’, ‘Violetto di Provenza’ and ‘Violetto di Romagna’) and three cultivated cardoon (‘Bianco Avorio’, ‘Bianco Gigante Inerme’ and ‘Gigante di Romagna’) genotypes were evaluated for their leaf dry biomass and major polyphenols. The highest leaf dry biomass was recorded in the three genotypes of cardoon followed by the two artichoke genotypes ‘Romolo’ and ‘Violetto di Provenza’. The major polyphenols present in the leaf were chlorogenic acid and cynarin, followed by luteolin, whereas apigenin was found in trace quantities. The highest concentration of chlorogenic acid was observed in ‘Violetto di Provenza’, ‘Violetto di Romagna’ and ‘Bianco Avorio’, whereas the highest luteolin concentration was found in the cardoon genotypes ‘Bianco Avorio Gigante di Romagna’. Data showed that the hydroponic floating tray is a suitable system for biomass production of globe artichoke and cultivated cardoon. They also suggest that specific genotypes should be selected to obtain the desired nutritional features.