WITLOOF CHICORY EVALUATIONS IN TENNESSEE

Abstract

Production of witloof chicory (Cichorium intybus) roots for chicons or for inulin is typically a northern U. S. or European enterprise. Although chicons (Belgian endive) command a high market price, nearly all are imported from Europe. If appropriate cultivars and optimum summer growing conditions can be identified, Tennessee's mild winters may permit relatively low cost forcing techniques. Studies with these objectives were initiated in 1992 at two locations using six cultivars, two planting dates and two within row plant densities. Root yields varied from 13 to 40 Mg·ha-1 between locations and among cultivars. Incidence of bolting was greater than 50% for the earliest maturing cultivar, `Daliva', but less than 5% for the late maturing cultivar, `Rinof', at the warmer experimental site (Knoxville, elev. 251m). No bolting of any cultivar occurred at the cooler experimental site (Crossville, elev. 549m). Data on yield and quality of forced chicons and nitrate content of edible leaf tissue will be presented.