Forage Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.): A Review of Its Agronomy and Animal Production

Abstract

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is a perennial herb that has been used as a forage for livestock in many parts of the world. Forage chicory produces a large quantity of high quality feed in the warm season under favorable conditions. Animal performance on chicory is similar to that on legumes and superior to grass‐based pastures. In addition, grazing chicory can decrease some internal parasites in livestock, and therefore has potential to reduce the use of anthelmintics. Being a deep‐rooted perennial herb, chicory can reduce nitrate leaching, deep drainage, thereby reducing the rate of soil acidification and the occurrence of dryland salinity. This paper reviews the published research work on the agronomic characteristics, herbage production, grazing management, persistence under grazing, nutritive value, and animal performance of forage chicory, as well as the problems encountered when incorporating chicory into farming systems.