Physiological response of globe artichoke to irrigation with saline water under different environmental conditions

Physiological processes of globe artichoke plants irrigated with saline water both in the field and in greenhouse conditions were studied. Plants of cv. 'Orlando' were irrigated with water of EC 1.6 (control) 2,4,6,8 and 10 dS/m in field while plants of cvs. Orlando and Violet de Provence were irrigated with water of EC 0.73 (control) and 10.0 dS/m in the greenhouse. In both conditions, the EC levels were obtained by adding NaCl and CaCl2 (1:2 w/w) to the tap water. Differences in salinity tolerance between both cultivars were related to photosynthetic efficiency and growth parameters. Orlando was more tolerant to salinity than Violet de Provence, in which photosynthesis, chlorophyll content and root/leaf ratio were reduced and Ci increased. In Orlando, any negative effects of salinity were probably partly and temporarily mitigated by its better capacity for an efficient osmotic adjustment within the plant, as the significant increase of leaf dry matter content would lead us to assume. Knowledge on the physiological response of globe artichoke plants to irrigation with saline water could improve its cultivation under saline conditions, such as those of some areas of south Italy.