Research on the Genetic Resources of Inulin‐Containing Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

Abstract

Chicor}' has potential as a new industrial crop. However, root chicory-seems to have a limited genetic basis which might hamper breeding progress. The objective of the investigation was (i) to assess the yield potential of chicorj' and (ii) to ascertain whether leaf chicory might be suitable to broaden the genetic basis of root chicory breeding. Fortynine accessions of leaf and root chicorv' were cultivated in field trials. Root yield/plot varied between 15.0 kg and 22.6 kg (experiment 1) and 14.8 kg and 27.0 kg (experiment 2). Total sugar content ranged between 15.2-21.8 % and 14.5-22.9 %. The corresponding values for total sugar yield are 2.32-4.12 kg and 2.38-5.45 kg. Fructose/glucose ratios ranged from 6.59 to 9.76 and 4.20 to 8.22 depending on experiment and accession. Estimated on a plot basis the highest total sugar and fructose yield was achieved by 'Fredonia' (10.6 t/ha and 9.5 t/ ha, respectively). In addition, correlation coefficients between yield components were estimated. The correlation coefficients between total sugar content and total sugar yield ranged from r = 0.62-0.78. The results suggest that leaf chicor)' may not contribute to a rapid breeding progress in root chicor}' within a short period.

Breeding Potential of Root Chicory (Cichorium intybus L. var. sativum)

“…The source populations were tested twice; both entry numbers corresponding to one variety are circled in Figure 1 yield. Since 'Fredonia' is known for its high performance with respect to total sugar yield as well as for its high inulin quality (FRESE and DAMBROTH 1987) this variety was used to demonstrate the potential breeding progress. Twelve of the 72 polycross families gave between 15 % and 24 % more total sugar yield than 'Fredonia' (average of 12 field plots = 100, -I-F in Fig.…”

“…In parallel to a study on genetic resources of leaf and root chicory (FRESE and DAMBROTH 1987) a breeding programme was established in 1984. The breeding scheme was described by FRESE (1986).…”

“…In parallel to a study on genetic resources of leaf and root chicory (FRESE and DAMBROTH 1987) a breeding programme was established in 1984. The breeding scheme was described by FRESE (1986). The root chicory varieties 'Wixor' (entry number 73, 74), 'Magdeburger Spitzkopf (75,76), 'Fredonia' (77,78) and 'Dageraad' (79,80) and 'Novipa' served as source populations.…”

Preliminary investigation of the suitability ofCordyline australis(Asphodelaceae) as a crop for fructose production

“…There is limited published information on sugar yields from these species. In Europe experimental yields are in the range 7-11 t sugar/ha (Frese & Dambroth 1987;Zonin 1987;Spittersetal. 1988) and in New Zealand Douglas & Poll (1986) recorded 2.6-8.2t sugar/ha from chicory.…”

Interactive Effects of Sowing Date and Planting Density on Dry Matter Accumulation and Partitioning of Chicory

“…2. Analysis of variance of the different characteristics in separate and combined analysis of two growing seasons (regions) that were determined in this study and were affected by growing season (regions) (Y), plant density (D) and sowing date (S) and their interactions 1986; Frese and Dambroth, 1987;Voltolina, 1994) seems to be quite low: from 1919-8872 t ha -1 depending on sowing date. This low yield compared with other studies can be because of the dry Mediterranean climate or that the cultivar that was used had much lower yield potential (Amaducci and Pritoni, 1998) Plant density affected more the dry matter yield than the sowing date and the highest yield was found at the 8 plants m -2 density.…”