Effects of saline irrigated water on forage quality of globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus L.)

Salinity is a major abiotic stress for crop production in many parts of the world. To evaluate the effects of irrigation with saline water on growth parameters and forage quality of globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus), a field experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications at Isfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Iran during 2013-2015. The treatments were four irrigation levels with saline water (4, 8, 12 and 16 dS.m-1). Plant fresh weight (FW), plant dry weight (DW), crude protein (CP), water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), dry matter digestibility (DMD), total tannins (TT) and ash content were measured in the second year of growth season. The results showed that the maximum fresh weight (51551 kg ha-1) and dry weight (9000 kg ha-1) were obtained at EC=4 dS.m−1. Increasing salinity levels caused a significant reduction in NDF and ADF contents, while ash, CP, DMD and TT contents were increased. The treatments of EC=12 and EC=16 dS.m−1 produced the highest amount of CP (178.3, 185.1 g/kg DM), DMD (613.2, 636.2g/kg DM) and the lowest content of NDF (598, 585.1g/kg DM) and ADF (393, 3778g/kg DM), respectively. The lowest tannin content (28.2g/kg DM) was observed in EC=4 dS.m−1 and there was no significant difference between the treatments of EC=8 and EC=12 dS.m−1. Generally, results showed that although increasing salinity decreased plant yield, it could increase forage quality characteristics.