Effect of plant density and harvest time on forage yield of chicory (Cichorium intybus L. cv. Grasslands Puna)

To study the effect of plant density and harvest time on forage yield of Chicory (Cichorium intybus L. cv. Grasslands Puna)، an experiment was conducted at Research Farm of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad، Iran، over two years in 2006 and 2007. Experimental design was split-split plot based on complete randomized block design with three replications. Different plant densities of ‘Grasslands Puna’ chicory (Cichorium intybus L. cv. Grasslands Puna) (10، 20 and 40 plants. m-2)، three harvest time (10% flowering، 50-60% flowering and full flowering) and three cutting frequency (due to plant re-growth) allocated to main، sub and sub-sub plots، respectively. Results showed that10% flowering and full flowering stages of ‘Grasslands Puna’ chicory were achieved at 113 and 140 days after sowing، respectively (2160 and 2729 growing degree-days). Total fresh forage، dry forage and leaf yields of ‘Grasslands Puna’ chicory were significantly increased (more than 59، 29 and 28%، respectively) by increasing the plant density (from 10 to 40 plant. m-2). The lowest dry leaf yield (452. 2 kg. ha-1) and leaf to biomass ratio (355. 4 g. kg-1) were observed in the third harvest (full flowering stage). In general، planting density of 40 plants. m-2 and harvesting in of 50 % flowering stage produced a satisfactory forage yield in ‘Grasslands Puna’ chicory in climatic condition of the experiment site.