In northern latitudes, productivity of forage crops could be affected by weather conditions at sowing as well as during harvesting. Management of sowing date and foliar application of growth regulators can help to avoid severe environmental stresses during these sensitive stages and may improve forage quality. Globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) has been recently introduced as a specialty and alternative forage crop in north-western Iran. Morphological characteristics, yield and quality of forage of artichoke leaves were investigated in response to three (April 19, May 5 and 20) sowing dates and three acid salicylic (0, 700 and 1400 µM) rates of foliar spray under field condition. Foliar application of 700 and 1400 µM salicylic acid solution caused to 18% and 26% increase in leaf number, respectively. Results showed that digestible dry matter (DDM), crude protein, crude fat and ash were affected by both sowing date and salicylic acid. The highest digestible dry matter was recorded in third sowing date with 700 µM salicylic acid application. On the other hand the maximum yield and dry matter, crude fat and protein were observed in second sowing date. Based on these results, we estimate that under these environmental conditions, second sowing date (May 5) along with 700 µM salicylic acid foliar application appear sufficient to obtain high yield and acceptable forge quantity of artichoke.
Effect of sowing date and foliar application of salicylic acid on forage yields and quality of globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.
