ISHS Acta Horticulturae 533: VIII International Symposium on Timing Field Production in Vegetable Crops
CULTURAL PRACTICES, YIELD AND QUALITY OF SEED IN TWO CULTIVARS OF CHICORY (CICHORIUM INTYBUS L.) |
| Author: | G. Damato |
| Keywords: | planting dates, plant density, seed age |
| Abstract:
An experiment was planned over two years in southern Italy to ascertain the influence of planting date on the yield and quality of two types of chicory, leaf chicory cv. Cicoria da foglie (CF) and a stem or “asparagus” chicory cv. Cicoria di Galatina (CG) grown at three plant densities (11.1, 5.6, and 2.7 plant · m-2). In 1991, crops were planted on October 1 and November 10, while in 1992 they were sown directly in the field on August 5 and September 12. In both years, for the second planting or sowing date, a higher seed yield and a lower percentage of dead plants were registered. ‘CG’ showed lower seed yield, fewer stems per plant and shorter plants than ‘CF’. Less seed per plant and higher seed per hectare were noticed in the closest planting. Quality of seed detected 4, 12 and 24 months after harvest (MAH) varied each year. Seed aging increased the germination percentage in the first year (61% 4 MAH, 76% 24 MAH) and decreased it in the second (75% 3 MAH, 54% 24 MAH). Seed aging reduced the speed of germination in the first year and speeded it up in the second. By delaying planting date, germination percentage increased in the first year and decreased in the second. ‘CG’ showed a lower germination percentage and speed of germination and a higher percentage of abnormal seedlings than ‘CF’. During the first year a high germination percentage and germination value were obtained with closest spacing. | |
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