Author : Karima Kouki Khalfallah, NejibTurki, Mariem Rébaï and Ismaïl Ghazel

Four fertilization program treatments based on compost and compost tea have been experienced in this study for artichoke in organic farming: Control Treatment (T0): 100% compost needs are made in solid form before planting (BP);Treatment 1 (T1 ): 50% compost needs are made in solid form BP , 25% are made in solid form at 22 weeks after planting (WAP) and 25% are applied as compost tea sprayed on the leaves weekly for 26 weeks from 12 WAP, Treatment 2 (T2): 50% compost needs are made in solid form BP and 50% in the form of compost tea applied by fertigation weekly for 26 weeks from 12 WAP and Treatment 3 (T3 ): 50% compost needs are made in solid form BP , 25% in the form of compost tea applied as a foliar spray and 25% in the form of compost tea applied by fertigation. Splitting of compost (T1 , T2 and T3) in all cases enhances the growth and development of plants relative to control (T0) for which 100 % of the compost requirements were made before planting. The best results were obtained with T3 , wherein treatment of the compost tea was made by foliar and also by fertigation. The contribution of compost once before planting (T0), which is the most common method currently used in organic farming has clearly shown its limits. Splitting compost is more effective than its incorporation in full in the soil before planting, that the combination of foliar spray and fertigation with compost tea gives better results than the use of each method of application lonely and very effective results can be achieved with artichoke led by organic methods in yield (17.4 T/ha) , precocity (3.5 T / ha early harvest) and the quality of the heads (15 T/ ha were classified between Class Extra and class I).

Keywords: artichoke, organic farming, compost, compost tea, foliar spray, fertigation.

Article published in International Journal of Current  Engineering  and Technology, Vol.4,No.3 (June- 2014)