Forage chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is a perennial species of the Asteraceae family with a wide ecological plasticity encountered in natural grassland ecosystems. The creation of numerous varieties, intended for animal feed, has revealed a number of characteristics of production, quality and resistance to the natural conditions of forage chicory, compared to other species. The researches carried out have demonstrated the potential for high production and quality of forage chicory compared to some perennial legumes species (Medicago sativa, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Lotus corniculatus). On average, chicory had a production of 6.59 t/ha compared to only 5.12 t/ha obtained by legumes, in non-fertilized variants, and 8.54 t/ha compared to only 5.81 t/ha attained by legumes, in fertilized N100 variants. Also, the crude protein content in chicory was 22.62% in the control (N0) and 25.06% in the fertilized variants (N100), compared to the legumes of 20.31% (N0), respectively, 18.11% (N100).

Cichorium intybus, grassland legumes, dry matter, crude protein

field crops and pastures

Presentation: poster