Cichorium intibus L. is an Asteraceae very similar to endive, distinguished by longer and narrower leaves covered with pile and bitter flavored. An experiment was carried out in a plastic greenhouse, to evaluate the performance of the Folha Larga, Pão-de-Açúcar and Catalonha cultivars, from July to September/2001, at IAC, Campinas, Brazil. A split plot design was used with the cultivars in the main plots and sampling data as subplots. Each main plot and subplot was randomized in three replications. At 50; 57; 64 and 71 days after sowing, ten plants of each subplot were taken and their height, leaf number, foliar area and fresh and dry matter weight were measured. Yield of leaves per linear meter was also evaluated. No difference in leaf number per plant was observed but interaction was found among cultivars and time of evaluation for foliar area, and fresh and dry matter weight. Catalonha was the tallest and more yielding cultivar but Pão-de-Açucar presented the highest values of fresh and dry matter weight. Pão-de-Açúcar also presented highest foliar area. Based on foliar area, chicory should be harvested withing 64days after sowing date. Obtained data indicate that chicory, cultivated in a plastic greenhouse, is a new and good alternative to this production system.
Cichorium intybus; yield; leaf area; protected cultivation
