Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.)

 

Cynara cardunculus L. is a species native to the Mediterranean region, that is adapted to this particular climate conditions.  The species has been cultivated as a vegetable since ancient times according to a rather artificial management system. As a vegetable it is commonly known as cardoon, but as an energy crop it is named just ‘cynara’. The species is a perennial C3 herb with an annual development cycle. As an energy crop, cynara is grown for its aboveground biomass and oilfruits (achenes, like sunflower), that are harvested every year. The establishment of the plantation is carried out from seed in the first year; then it is maintained for several years (>14 years). In Spain the growth cycle of cynara lasts from September-October (plant sprouting) to June (seed ripening). Harvest is carried out in summertime (August-September), once the growth cycle is over and the biomass is fully dried, thanks to the characteristics of the Mediterranean summer (high temperatures and very low rainfall). Later on, and estimulated by the first autumn rainfalls, cynara sprouts from the remnant buds of the plant stock and a new growth cycle starts. Biomass production is closely related to the rainfall of the agricultural season. In average conditions (» 450 mm year-1) cynara yields about 14 t dry matter ha-1 year-1, of which nearly 8-10% are oil achenes. The applications of the crop produce are: heating (biomass pellets), power, bio-diesel and paper-pulp, among others.

 

 

GROWTH CYCLES OF THE CARDOON CROP IN RAINFED CONDITIONS

 

 

References

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Encinar JM, González JF, González J. Steam gasification of Cynara cardunculus L.: influence of variables. Fuel Processing Technology 2002:75:27-43.

Encinar JM, González JF, Rodriguez JJ, Tejedor A. Biodiesel fuels from vegetable oils: Transesterification of Cynara cardunculus L. oils with ethanol. Energy and Fuels, 2002:16 (2):443-450

Fernández J. Lignocellulosic biomass production from annual energy crops. Report EUR 12631 EN-C. Commission of the European Communities, Luxembourg, 1990. 54 pp.

Fernández  J. (Coordinator). Production and utilization of Cynara cardunculus L. biomass for energy, paper-pulp and food industry. Final Report JOUB 0030-ECCE, Commission of the European Communities, Brussels, 1993. 92 pp.

Fernández J. (Coordinator). Cynara cardunculus Network. Final Report AIR CTT 921089, Commission of the European Communities, Brussels, 1998. 248 pp.

Foti S, Mauromicale G, Raccuia SA, Fallico B, Fanella F, Maccarone E. Possible alternative utilization of Cynara spp. I. Biomass, grain yield and chemical composition of grain. Industrial Crops and Products 1999:10:219-228.

Gominho J, Fernández J, Pereira H. Cynara cardunculus L. A new fiber crop for pulp and paper production. Industrial Crops and Products, 2000:13:1-10.Maccarone E, Fallico B, Fanella F, Mauromicale G, Raccuia SA, Foti S. Possible alternative utilization of Cynara spp. II. Chemical characterization of their grain oil. Industrial Crops and Products 1999:10:229-237.

Piscioneri H, Sharma N, Baviello G, Orlandini S. Promising industrial energy crop, Cynara cardunculus: a potential source for biomass production and alternative energy. Energy Conversion and Management 2000:41:1091-1105.