Análisis comparado de variedades de alcachofa con diferentes técnicas de cultivo en el sureste de España

Resumen

Spain is the second artichoke producing country in the world. Its production is concentrated along the Mediterranean coast and the Ebro Valley. The leading area is Murcia, with about 40% of the total area. Within the province, the main producing regions are the Guadalentín Valley and the Campo de Cartagena. However, since 1985 until 2010, both the national production and area of cultivation have decreased, 46% and 38% respectively, due to certain production and phytosanitary problems that have arisen. For that reason, new possibilities to solve these agronomical problems are being studied, which affect to Blanca de Tudela (BT). That is the most cultivated variety (90% of the national production). In the experimental phase of the current work, there have been considered some alternative means. They are the use of seed varieties, similar to BT, like Symphony, and the use of giberelic acid, as a solution to the earliness problems. Because of the recession this crop is suffering in the Southeast of Spain, it is important the analysis of its economic situation. In that context, there have been done a cost study that have allowed to establish the break-even point of assessment, the unit production cost and the net margin of profitability, in each assumption analyzed. The size of the plot is a normal magnitude for the area of study (Campo de Cartagena, in Murcia). Artichokes´ prices tend to be higher during the first half of the campaign (October-February), having an effect over the crop techniques applied. Consequently, there has been done an evaluation of prices evolution since the year 2005 until 2012. This shows a changing tendency of the Spanish production, from the fresh market to the industry.