Arianna Bozzolo a, Jacob Pecenka a, Said Hamido b, Bharat Acharya c
a Rodale Institute California Organic Center, 2050 Agricultural Way, Camarillo, CA 93012, USA
b Rodale Institute, Tennessee, 3480 Summertown Hwy, Summertown, TN 38483, USA
c Rodale Institute, Southeast Organic Center, 7850 Rico Rd., Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30269, USA
Abstract
Globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L.) is a high-value crop traditionally cultivated in Mediterranean climates, yet organic production using living mulches and cover crop mulches remains underexplored. This study evaluated the effects of five mulching systems on soil health, weed suppression, microclimate, and yield under reduced tillage on Camarillo loamy soils: (i) white clover (Trifolium repens L.), (ii) crimson clover (T. incarnatum L.), (iii) Kurapia (Lippia nodiflora L.), (iv) a roller-crimped buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum M.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.) mixture, and (v) polyethylene (PE) plastic mulch (control).
Significant treatment differences were observed across soil organic matter, microbial active carbon, nitrate, ammonium, soil moisture, and artichoke yield. Plastic mulch retained the highest soil moisture (+25 %) and elevated spring temperatures (+1.5 °C), supporting the highest artichoke yield in 2023 (9.7 t/ha) but reducing soil biological activity. White clover improved SOM (+0.3 %), OC (+35.5 ppm), MAC (+77.6 %), and infiltration but reduced yield (3.4 t/ha in 2024) due to crop competition. Crimson clover offered early-season weed suppression and SOM enhancement (+0.2 %) but lost soil health benefits after senescence. Kurapia achieved the highest yield (11.4 t/ha in 2023), though its soil health effects were limited. The buckwheat–pea system suppressed early weeds and promoted intermediate yield performance.
Overall, living mulches improved soil health but reduced yield, while plastic and Kurapia maximized productivity. These results underscore the trade-offs between soil conservation and crop yield, suggesting that site-specific integration of mulching strategies is needed to optimize sustainability and performance in organic artichoke systems.
Highlights
- White clover enhanced soil health by increasing SOM, water-soluble C, microbial activity, and infiltration
- Plastic mulch retained the most soil moisture but did not improve biological activity
- Roller-crimped buckwheat–pea mulch provided early nutrient release and moderate yields
- Living mulches and dead mulches improved soil health and weed suppression in organic artichokes
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Acknowledgments: This research was supported by the 2021 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program H.R. 133 Stimulus Funding, administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). We also acknowledge the generous support of the Holdfast Foundation for their contributions to field operations and applied research activities. We sincerely thank the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments, which significantly improved the clarity and quality of this manuscript.