Improving Germination and Seedling Establishment of Chicory

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) seeds were treated before sowing with polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) under different PEG concentrations, treatment period and temperatures, and tested for uniformity of germination, establishment and drought tolerance. Suitable seed coating materials were found that improved emergence, establishment and seedling growth when surface sown on established swards. The best primed or coated seeds in germination tests were surface sown in growth cabinet and field.Osmotic priming with PEG accelerated germination of chicory and significantly reduced time taken for germination compared with coated seeds in Petri-dishes, but not in the field. In contrast, coated seeds germinated more slowly in Petri-dishes but showed superior emergence and growth lo those of primed or untreated seeds. Low moisture content of soil depressed chicory growth significantly.