Effect of water deficit stress on traits of chichory (Cichorium intybus L.) in different planting dates

In order to study the effect of drought stress and planting date on some traits of chichory (Cichorium intybus L.)، an experiment was conducted in a split plot design using randomized complete blocks design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Center of Islamic Azad University، Birjand Branch in 2011-2012. The factors included were irrigations levels (%100، %75، %50 and %25 ET0) and planting date (16 March، 2 April and 26 April). Results showed that all traits were significantly affected by drought stress، except R/S. The highest plant height، root length، width and branches number، shoot dry yield، root dry yield، total dry biomass، R/S were achieved under %100 ET0 and the highest water productivity was achieved under %25 ET0. According to mean comparisons، the highest values for all traits، except R/S، were recorded for the planting date of 16 March. The interaction effects of factors were also significant for branches number، stem dry yield، shoot dry yield، root dry yield and water productivity. Totally، the highest yield and water productivity were obtained for the planting date of 6 March. In addition، no significant difference was recorded between the treatments of %50 ET0 and %100 ET0 in 16 March in terms of total dry biomass. Therefore، %50 ET0 could be recommended especially in water deficit condition.