Globe artichoke cultivation under agroecological practices

Globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Fiori) cultivation is associated with high economic profitability thanks to early head production providing a product of good quality at a high commercial price. Over-fertilization, especially N, is associated with higher environmental risks and with a decrease in N use efficiency. We hypothesized that switching to an alternative cultivation system characterized by sustainable management practices can improve the N use efficiency and thus the productivity of globe artichoke. The effect of two different crop management systems (Conventional and Alternative) on soil nutrient balances for three consecutive growing seasons was evaluated. The alternative system was managed according to agroecological principles without mineral fertilization except for the first year of conversion. A nutrient (N, P, K) surplus was detected in the conventional system for the three growing seasons, and in the alternative system for the first season where mineral fertilizers were applied. In the second and third seasons, the alternative system showed a deficit of K and P and a surplus of N related to the cover crop N fixation. However, N use efficiency increased significantly in the alternative system in the second and third seasons compared to the conventional system. Therefore, the agroecological practices responded to crop N needs and reduced losses by increasing agronomic sustainability, while organic fertilization is still needed to compensate K and P deficit.