Abstract
Globe artichoke is a Mediterranean vegetable now cultivated in many parts of the world as either a perennial or annual crop. Its value as a food crop and source of useful plant compounds has encouraged producers to refine established systems and develop production in new regions.
This review examines recent developments in globe artichoke production for varied local and international markets. It considers how farming methods, plant breeding and genetic diversity can be combined with postharvest management to improve the crop's value. Appropriate choices depend on regional growing conditions, available equipment, production scale, processing methods and the intended market.
Review at a glance
- Production may use perennial cycles or annual systems according to climate and market requirements.
- Balanced mineral nutrition can influence yield, composition, visual quality and storage life.
- Seed propagation, intercropping and grafting offer different routes to crop establishment and management.
- Flowering control and postharvest treatments need to be selected for specific growing regions and supply chains.
- By-products may provide additional value when their composition and processing are managed consistently.
A crop with expanding uses
The review places fresh-market production alongside processing and the use of artichoke material in food and plant-derived products. This broader demand creates opportunities, but it also requires dependable quality, suitable crop timing and production systems that reflect local resources.
Rather than proposing one universal method, the analysis emphasises regional adaptation. Grower knowledge, equipment, farm scale, processing capacity and the destination of the harvested crop all affect which practices are practical.
Production and crop improvement
The strategies considered include improved use of genetic variation, plant breeding, seed-based propagation, intercropping and grafting. The review also examines flowering induction, an important management consideration where seasonal conditions do not naturally provide the signals required for dependable head production.
Mineral management is presented as another central tool. Balanced applications can affect yield as well as the chemical composition, appearance and shelf life of harvested heads. Careful management may also support more consistent by-products for food-related uses.
Postharvest quality and markets
Production decisions continue to matter after harvest. Handling and treatment must protect fresh quality while meeting the needs of processing channels. The authors connect postharvest practice with regional conditions and intended products rather than treating storage as a separate stage.
The principal conclusion is that growers and supply chains should select modern practices precisely, matching crop material and management to local conditions and market expectations. Sustainable methods that improve both output and quality offer the clearest route to strengthening globe artichoke production.