NITRATE ACCUMULATION IN RED CHICORY (CICHORIUM INTYBUS L.) GROWN AT A LOW LEVEL OF LIGHT INTENSITY

The concentration of nitrate and nitrate reductase activity (NRA) in outer and inner leaves of red chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) grown at a low light intensity were studied. To compare the leaf nitrate accumulation, two solution nitrate concentrations (4 and 10 mmol l^-1) were used throughout the growing period. The concentration of nitrate in the inner leaves was very much lower than the outer leaves. The nitrate concentration in red chicory was related directly to the nitrate supply. No relationship was found between NRA and nitrate concentration in the plant tissue.