The integrated fertilizer management of forage chicory (Cichorium intybus L. cv. Grasslands Puna) as affected by harvest time and cutting frequency

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the integrated fertilizer management of forage chicory cv. Grassland Puna as affected by harvest time and cutting frequency in spring sowing conditions in Mashhad, Iran. A field experiment was conducted with three replications, at research farm of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, in 2006 and 2007. In 2006, application of different fertilizers (10 ton manure ha-1, 20 ton manure ha-1, 30 ton manure ha-1, chemical NPK fertilizer (125, 75 and 100 kg of urea, triple super phosphate and potassium sulfate ha-1, respectively), 10 ton manure ha-1 + chemical NPK fertilizer, 20 ton manure ha-1 + chemical NPK fertilizer and control (no manure or chemical fertilizer)) were assigned to main plots and three harvest time (06 August, 19 August, 02 September) randomized in sub plots. In 2007, above mentioned fertilizer treatments, three harvest time (20 April, 08 May and 20 May) and two cutting in 50-60% flowering stage (after harvest and due to plant re-growth) considered as main plots, sub-plots and sub-sub plots, respectively. Experimental data was analyzed as split plot design in the first year (there was no frequent cutting) and collected data were analyzed as split-split plot design in time in the second year. Results revealed that, in the first and second years, highest dry matter (forage) yield was observed in the third harvest. In the first and second years, dry matter yield on third harvest (2707.1 and 4399.5 kg.ha-1, respectively) increased by 81 and 19 %, as compared to the first harvest (1496.8 and 3702.9 kgha-1, respectively), respectively. Based on results dry matter yield in the first cutting (5886.7 kgha-1) was significantly higher as compared to second cutting (2365.1 kg.ha-1). It can be concluded that in the semi-arid region of Iran, organic manure or integrated management of chemical and organic fertilizers can effectively contribute to increasing nutrient uptake and forage yield of chicory cv. Grassland Puna.