Morphological Characteristics and Biomass Production of Chicory (Cichoriumintybus L.) in Yogyakarta

Abstract

This study was aimed at determining morphological characteristics, adaptability and biomass production of chicory planted in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This study was carried out by observing the morphology, adaptability to pests and diseases, and biomass production of the crops during the vegetative phase, first and second defoliation. This study used chicory from Crop mark Seed Company New Zealand. The plants were planted in a plot size of 1 m² by spreading the seeds and each plant got 3 repetitions. The variables observed in this study were the growth of plants, plant morphology, pests and diseases on plants which were analyzed descriptively, as well as the biomass production, dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) of each plant which was analyzed by using Independent Samples T-test. Biomass production was taken from crop production on the first and second harvest. Plant morphology showed that the plants have a good development and the growth data showed that all of these plants have good growth. Adaptability of the chicorywas good because it was free from pests and diseases. The first harvest of chicoryproduced 1.04±0.80 tonnes / ha (DM 9.63±0.21%; OM 78.79±0.46%; the second production 1.47±0.11 tonnes / ha (DM 8.17±0.18%; OM 83.88±0.60%). The analysis showed thatchicoryproduction at the first harvest was significantly different (P<0.05) from the second defoliation. Conclusion of this study showed that chicoryfrom New Zealand can grow well in Yogyakarta based on morphological and biomass production.