Crop management systems and endomycorrhiza effects on endive (Cichorium endivia L.) growth

Abstract

The goal of this research was to determine the influence of crop management systems, (organic, sustainable and conventional) and endomycorrhiza on vegetative growth of endive (Cichorium endivia L.) grown on fields in order to use PE mulch after lettuce crop. During 2002 and 2003 a two-factor trial with three repetitions and split-plot design was set up in Pula (Croatia). Main factor “crop management” had three levels (organic, sustainable and conventional); while the sub factor “mycorrhiza” had two levels (endive seedlings inoculated with endomycorrhizal fungus and non-inoculated seedlings). Endive was planted after lettuce harvesting on the set PE mulch in conventional and integrated management, while in organic management it was planted after tilling lettuce rests and plant mulch (fodder pea and common vetch). Fertilization (by fertirigation) and crop protection were performed according to basic principles of organic, sustainable and conventional crop management system. Neither mycorrhiza nor production systems had no significant influence on plant density, diameter and mass of heads, and marketable yields. The biggest endive head diameter had non-inoculated endive plants in first year of research, while in the second year this feature was not significant. Production system had no significant influence on head diameter. The sustainable production system had the most marketable endive heads, while the organic system had most non-marketable heads in the first research year, while in the second this feature was not significant. Mycorrhiza had no influence on this feature.