Effects of fertilization levels on yield and quality of Chiccory

Abstract：The effect of combination of different N, P and K supplies on yield and quality in Chiccory was observed by a field experiment to provide practical information for planting and the comprehensive use this chicory. This study showed that the N, P and K treatments had a significant effect on the yields of herbage and crude protein, and the contents of crude protein, calcium and crude ash of chicory (P＞0.05), and the corresponding order was N＞P＞K, N＞P＞K, N＞K＞P, K＞P＞N and N＞K＞P, respectively., however, the contents of crude fiber and crude fat among different fertilization were not significant. The yields of herbage and crude protein increased significantly with the increase of N or P supplies. The N3P3K2 had significant higher herbage and crude protein yields than that of the other treatments, while the N2P2K3 had a highest crude protein and calcium contents, and the N3P1K3 had a highest crude ash value. In summary, N3P3K2 treatment with (NH2)2CO 825 kg/ha+Ca(H2PO4)2H2O 600 kg/ha+ K2SO4 150 kg/ha showed a higher yield and better quality of chicory, which could be used for chicory production.