Emergence and growth dynamics of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) in response to sowing method and seed rate

The experiment was laid out at the Research Farm of PAU, Ludhiana during rabi 2016–17 and 2017–18 in split plot design to test six methods of sowing i.e. bed (one row), bed (two rows), ridge (one row), ridge (two rows), flat (60 cm) and flat (30 cm) in main plots and four seed rates (0.5, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.25 kg ha⁻¹) in sub-plots. Prevalence of higher soil temperature during germination period under bed and ridge sowing resulted in earlier initiation as well as completion of emergence. Bed (one row) and ridge (one row) recorded higher growth attributes viz. absolute growth rate (AGR), relative growth rate (RGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) but the superiority of growth attributes under bed (one row) could not be translated into root yield due to comparatively low plant population. Increase in seed rate from 0.5 kg ha⁻¹ to 1.25 kg ha⁻¹ caused marked reduction in AGR, RGR and NAR of crop but increase in plant population due to successive higher seed rate led to increase in root yield of chicory up to 1.0 kg ha⁻¹ and shoot yield up to 1.25 kg ha⁻¹.