MEDICINAL PASTURES: GERMINATION ASSESSMENT OF CHICORY (CICHORIUM INTYBUS) SEEDS COLLECTED IN ALENTEJO, SOUTH PORTUGAL

In modern sustainable grazing systems, there is an increased emphasis on the use of nontraditional forages and local varieties to supply nutrients to livestock. Low availability of forage early in the growing season and low nutritive value in the summer could limit animal production in Alentejo. The main goal of these studies is to assess local populations of chicory (Cichorium intybus) in view of their propagation to use as grazed forage with medicinal purposes. Seeds from 10 accessions of C. intybus were collected in the Alentejo region in September 2009 and stored at room temperature (ca. 20°C). Seeds were chilled at 5°C for 7 days or stored at room temperature (20°C) (control). Germination trials were performed in light and temperature controlled thermostats, at 20°C at total darkness and at 12-h daily photoperiod. Best germination results were observed in light and without seed dormancy break treatment: accession 61/2009E with 53,5% at 20°C at light, without seed dormancy break treatment. Accessions 6/2009E and 64/2009E also had a high germination rate. The rest of the accessions gave germination values under 40%. Germination started on the 2nd day in the majority of cases. Best results were obtained at light and without seed dormancy break treatment, with significant differences between both photoperiod and pre-treatment modalities.