Plant characteristics for distinction of red chicory (Cichorium intybus L. var. silvestre Bisch.) cultivars grown in central Slovenia

Abstract

Eight red chicory (Cichorium intybus L. var. silvestre Bisch.) cultivars were screened for plant characteristics, yield, resistance to Erysiphe cichoracearum and their persistence of bolting over a two-year period (2002 and 2003 growing seasons) in central Slovenia. On two years with meteorologically different conditions the highest total and marketable weight of heads (i.e. total weight – weight of removed damaged leaves) were obtained from cv. 'Averto', followed by cv. 'Mesola' and 'Rubino'. The most compact heads in both years, were produced by cv. 'Palla rossa-super'. Less productive cultivars of red chicory were on average the most infected with the powdery mildew caused by E. cichoracearum. In 2002 the fungus occurred in a substantially larger extent than in 2003, which was less favourable for spread of the pathogen. The higher temperatures, prevailing in summer 2003, presumably promoted a greater percentage of bolting in plants. Among eight cultivars studied through two years, cv. 'Castel Franco', 'Averto' and 'Mesola' drew no incidence of bolters.