The influence of pre-harvest factors on the quality of globe artichoke

The globe artichoke, a species native to the Mediterranean Basin, makes a significant contribution to the region's agricultural economy. Its increasing popularity has extended into northern Europe, the Americas and parts of Asia. To an extent, the increased interest in the crop reflects the perceived beneficial health effects of its inclusion in the human diet, flowing mainly from its high content of polyphenols and inulin in the immature inflorescence (also called head or capitulum). The accumulation of these compounds, together with the head's appearance and size, is an important determinant of quality at harvest and hence, of consumer preference. The purpose of this review is to collate the state of current knowledge regarding the major pre-harvest factors which affect globe artichoke at harvest quality, including aspects of genotype, the growing environment and crop management. The literature suggests that the at harvest quality of globe artichoke depends on a complex of interactions between this group of factors. In conclusion, this review establishes a departure point for manipulating some of these factors to maximize globe artichoke at harvest quality.