Intraspecific Variability Of Cynara Cardunculus L. Seed Germination Across Domesticated And Wild Varieties

Cynara cardunculus L. is a perennial species native to Mediterranean basin. It comprises two botanical varietiesC. cardunculus L. var. altilis DC. (domestic cardoon) and C. cardunculus L. var. sylvestris Lam. (wild cardoon),considered to be the wild ancestor of globe artichoke, C. cardunculus var. scolymus (L.) Fiori [1,2,3]. It sproutsat the end of summer, remains as winter leaf rosette in autumn, with a stem elongation in spring, full blossomin early summer, fruits ripening in summer and fully dried aerial biomass in late summer. As a result of thiscycle, seed germination capability during a precise time window represents a crucial trait to select inagronomical lines, while tolerance to abiotic stresses is of prominent importance for Mediterranean cropsexposed to vulnerable climate. Here we analysed the seed germination behaviour of domesticated and wild C.cardunculus varieties through a range of drought stress, dormancy induction and oxidative stress.