Influence of Plant Density on Yield and Quality of Scorzonera

Abstract

SummaryThe influence of plant density on the yield and the quality of scorzonera was studied from 1967 to 1971 in West-Flanders, Belgium.It was found that (a) there was a significant relationship between seed rate and plant density, but plant density also depended on many other factors, (b) the percentage of bolting plants decreased at a higher density, (c) the total yield and that suitable for canning increased with plant density up to 62–66 plants per sq m, which corresponds to 110 seeds per sq m or a seed rate of 18–5 kg per ha, and (d) the yield of Extra class grade for fresh consumption was reduced with increased plant density. The quality of scorzonera for canning was little affected by plant density, with only small differences in loss of skin before canning. The highest percentage of roots of size 13–25 mm was obtained with 62 plants per sq m; the percentage of thick roots (> 25 mm) was reduced with increasing plant density. In practice a seed rate of 90–110 seeds per sq m should be used if the cr...