INFLUENCE OF GROWING DATE AND PLANT DENSITY ON THE YIELD OF ENDIVE (Cichorium endivia L.)

Abstract

The experiment was carried out in the years 2006–2008. The aim of the study was estimation of yielding of Italian cultivar of endive ‘Blonda a cuor pleno’ (escarole group) grown in the conditions of Western Pomerania. Seeds of endive were sown on four dates: 10, 20 and 30 June, and 10 July. There were two plant spacing used in the experiment: 40 × 25 and 40 × 35 cm. Significantly the highest yield of leaf rosettes was obtained when seeds were sown on 30 June. However, sowing seeds on 10 June had an effect on obtaining rosettes of the highest weight. This planting date had also an influence on decrease of marketable yield because of premature floral stalks development in longday conditions. Significantly higher yield of rosettes of the highest weight and diameter was obtained from planting transplants at the spacing of 40 × 25 cm.

Keywords

• escarole
• field cultivation
• plant density
• yield quantity and quality