Harvesting time affects yield and chemical composition of Cichorium spinosum L.
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resumo
In the present study, the eff ect of the number of harvests on yield and chemical composition of
Cichorium spinosum L. plants was examined. Seeds of were sown in seed trays containing peat
and young seedlings were transplanted in 2L pots containing peat and perlite (1:1 v/v). Plants
were harvested two or three times during the growing period, while control plants (no prior
harvests) were also harvested at the same time. Rosette diameter, number of leaves, SPAD index,
and fresh and dry weight were recorded at harvest, while chemical composition of leaves was also
assessed (fatty-acids, sugars, organic acids, and tocopherols content). Regardless of the number
of harvests, total fresh weight and number of leaves were higher comparing to control plants,
whereas dry weight and rosette diameter were higher in control plants. SPAD index was mostly
aff ected by harvesting time (growth stage) and decreased during the growing season. Signifi cant
diff erences were also observed in chemical composition of the aerial parts of plants in relation to
the number of harvests, with control treatment for the third cutting having the higher content in
sugars, organic acids, saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, and 1st cutting showed the best
results for tocopherols. In conclusion, successive harvests (two or three harvests) increased total
yield of C. spinosum plants, comparing to control plants, whereas they had a negative eff ect on
sugar, organic and fatty acids content.
