Characterization and Future Distribution Prospects of " Carciofo di Malegno" Landrace for Its In Situ Conservation

Davide Pedrali; Marco Zuccolo; Luca Giupponi; Stefano Sala; Annamaria Giorgi

doi:10.3390/plants13050680

Characterization and Future Distribution Prospects of " Carciofo di Malegno" Landrace for Its In Situ Conservation

Plants (Basel). 2024 Feb 28;13(5):680. doi: 10.3390/plants13050680.

Authors

Davide Pedrali¹, Marco Zuccolo¹, Luca Giupponi¹, Stefano Sala¹, Annamaria Giorgi¹

Affiliation

¹ Centre of Applied Studies for the Sustainable Management and Protection of Mountain Areas-CRC Ge.S.Di.Mont., University of Milan, 25048 Edolo, Italy.

Abstract

"Carciofo di Malegno" is a little-known landrace of Cynara cardunculus subsp. scolymus cultivated in Camonica Valley (northern Italy). The morphological and phytochemical characteristics of this landrace were investigated; furthermore, a species distribution model (MaxEnt algorithm) was used to explore its ecological niche and the geographical area where it could be grown in the future. Due to its spiky shape, "Carciofo di Malegno" was distinct from any other artichoke sample considered, and it appears to be similar to those belonging to the "Spinosi" group. The concentration of chlorogenic acid (497.2 ± 116.0 mg/100 g DW) and cynarine (7.4 ± 1.2 mg/100 g DW) in "Carciofo di Malegno" was comparable to that of the commercial cultivars. In "Carciofo di Malegno," luteolin was detected in a significant amount (9.4 ± 1.5 mg/100 g DW) only in the stems and in the edible parts of the capitula. A MaxEnt distribution model showed that in the coming decades (2040-2060s), the cultivation of this landrace could expand to the pre-Alps and Alps of Lombardy. Climate change may promote the diffusion of "Carciofo di Malegno", contributing to preservation and the enhancement of this landrace and generating sustainable income opportunities in mountain areas through exploring new food or medicinal applications.

Keywords: Camonica Valley; Cynara cardunculus subsp. scolymus; MaxEnt; Southern Alps; agro-biodiversity; chlorogenic acid; cynarine; outline analysis; species distribution models.

Grants and funding

This study was carried out within the Agritech National Research Center and received funding from the European Union Next-GenerationEU (PIANO NAZIONALE DI RIPRESA E RESILIENZA (PNRR)—MISSIONE 4 COMPONENTE 2, INVESTIMENTO 1.4—D.D. 1032 17/06/2022, CN00000022). This manuscript reflects only the authors’ views and opinions; neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be considered responsible for them.