CYNERGIA project: Exploitability of cynara cardunculus l. as energy crop

The ligno-cellulosic biomass of Cynara cardunculus has great potential for the production of renewable energy. Its caloric values does not significantly differ among the cultivated and wild forms of the species, however, the yield expressed in total energy obtainable by 1 ha of crop is greater for cultivated cardoon due to its higher biomass production. Within the Project CYNERGIA (funded by the Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies), nine varieties/landraces of cultivated cardoon are being evaluated for biomass yield in three environments located in north and south Italy. During the first year the biomass production reached, on average, up to 8.3 t/ha (dry matter), a value which is expected to consistently increase starting from the second year. An AFLP-based genetic characterization was conducted identifying 3 gene pools (Spain, north/centre and south Italy derived genotypes). The analysis also highlighted a wide range of within variety genetic variation. An F1 progeny, from a cross between a globe artichoke and a cultivated cardoon genotypes, contrasting in biomass yield, has been already genetically characterized and measured for traits related to biomass yield. A second round of characterization is in progress. This will allow the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) related to both biomass production and bio-energy traits, with the goal of future implementation of marker assisted breeding programs.