EFFECT OF BIOFERTILIZER TYPES UNDER VARYING NITROGEN LEVELS ON VEGETATIVE GROWTH, HEADS YIELD AND QUALITY OF GLOBE ARTICHOKE (Cynara scolymus, L.)

Two field experiments were carried out during the winter seasons of 2000/2001 and 2001/2002 at the Agricultural Experimental Station (at Abeis) Alexandria University, to investigate the response of globe artichoke plants cv. French, to the inoculation with Halex2 and Microbein biofertilizers under varying N levels (0, 45, 90 and 135 kg N fed -1 ). The results indicated that increasing N applied rate was accompanied with significant increases in plant height, number of off-shoots and leaves plant -1 , and leaf dry matter content. Moreover, leaf’s mineral contents (N, P and K) were positively and significantly responded to N application. It was also noticed that yield characters (number and weight of heads plant -1 ) increased as a result of N application up to 90 kg N fed -1 .Application of 135 kg N fed -1 improved most head quality characteristics (head’s weight, length, diameter, dry matter, TSS and K content). However, the differences between 90 and 135 kg N fed -1 were not found significant in terms of total carbohydrates of head and receptacle weight. Inoculation of globe artichoke stumps with the biofertilizer Halex2 or Microbein led to significant increases in vegetative growth characters, leaf’s mineral contents and yield potential (early and total heads yield). Head quality characteristics were greatly improved due to the biofertilizer treatments. Microbein appeared to be more effective than Halex2 in this respect. The application of 90 kg N fed -1 , combined with Microbein biofertilizer, seemed to be the most efficient treatment combination, which gave a balanced vegetative growth, a higher early and total heads yield as well as a good quality. Moreover, this particular treatment combination was more beneficial in changing yield pattern distribution of globe artichoke heads compared to all other treatments. J.Agric.&Env.Sci.Alex.Univ.,Egypt Vol.4 (2)2005 2