A preliminary assessment of chicory (Cichorium intybus) as an energy crop

Abstract

Sugar estimates by refractometer were used to assess the soluble sugar yield/ha of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) roots grown in weed control and cultivar evaluation trials. Fresh root yields varied from 16 to 55 t/ha, with soluble sugar contents varying from 10.6 to 20.5%. Sugar yields varied from 2.6 to 8.2 t/ha. These results indicate that chicory is a possible energy crop for New Zealand and further research is desirable to optimise high root yields with high sugar contents.

Keywords:

• chicory
• energy crop
• root yields
• sugar content
• sugar yield