Planting density and management of seed, seedling and offshoot propagated artichoke

Three experiments were conducted during the period 1995-1998 at the experimental field in Levan (Fier district), situated in west-southern Albania. In the first experiment, planted on 13.09.1995, three planting densities (0.7, 0.93 and 1.4 plant/m(2)) and six planting arrangements (120x120, 180x80, 12000, 180x60, 120x60 and 180x40 cm) were studied. Planting material used was pre-rooting offshoots of Castellammare variety. In the second experiment seeds were sown for Talpiot variety in polystyrene containers on 25.7.1995 and seedlings were planted in the field on 12.09.1995. Three planting densities (0.93, 1.2 and 1.4 plant/m(2)) and seven plant arrangements (180x60, 12000, (180+60) x70, 12000, (180+60) x60, 180x40 and 120x60 cm) were studied. In the third experiment, which was conducted in 1996, the same planting densities and arrangements and variety were used as in the second experiment. But in this experiment seeds were used as planting material, which were sown on 25.07.1996. 4-5 seeds were used in a hole. Thinning was applied when the plants had 3-4 leaves, leaving one plant/hole. Randomised complete block design was used with 3 replications for each location. Every year, for all experiments around 30 days before starting the expected harvest, GA(3) application in 30 ppm at first year and 50 ppm in the other years was applied. Offshoot removal for all plants was applied leaving one offshoot per plant. It resulted that the best density for Castellammare variety was 0.93 plant/m(2) according to 120x90 arrangement, whereas for Talpiot variety was 1.2 plant/m(2) relevantly for (1180x60x70) and (12000) arrangements. For the cultivation purposes twin-rows are more preferable. Seed-propagated Talpiot was found to produce a week earlier than seedling-propagated Talpiot.