Artichoke, a crop traditionally produced by vegetative multiplication and with a very reduced varietal range, constituted almost exclusively by the cultivar Blanca de Tudela, is manifesting a gradual reduction in both yield and quality in part of the 6000 ha dedicated to its production in the province of Murcia. This is due to, among other factors, the lack of crop rotation and subsequent soil fatigue, the lack of varietal diversification and the degeneration of the self-produced plant material. Changes in the way that artichoke is brought to market, with increased industrial preparation. canned or frozen, compared with fresh consumption, is a consequence of technological innovation in the food industry. Perhaps an advertising campaign emphasising artichoke's organoleptic, vitaminic and nutritional qualities would boost sales of the fresh product. Besides a revision of the antecedents of this crop to explain why the present situation has arisen, we offer a series of alternatives (sanitary measures among others) for cultivating the plant material in question in the hope of mitigating the effects of the present crisis in its cultivation.
