FEATURES OF FIELD GERMINATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ROOT CHICORY PLANTS DEPENDING ON SOIL CULTIVATION, SOWING TIMES AND SEED COVERING DEPTH

Abstract

The paper considers topical issues of improving the efficiency of root chicory cultivation by optimizing a set of agrotechnical measures aimed at improving field germination of seeds and ensuring favorable conditions for plant growth and development throughout the growing season. Root chicory is a valuable industrial crop, the roots of which are the main raw material for the production of inulin, fructose, coffee drinks, and alcohol. However, its cultivation is accompanied by certain difficulties due to the biological characteristics of the crop: chicory seeds are characterized by slow germination, low germination energy, and poor moisture absorption due to the peculiarities of the seed coat structure. This leads to a prolonged period of emergence, which creates favorable conditions for the germination and development of weeds that actively compete with cultivated plants for nutrients, moisture, and light, especially in the early stages of growth. It has been established that thorough soil preparation, in particular of the top layer where seed germination occurs, is crucial for overcoming these negative phenomena. The main tasks of the soil cultivation system for root chicory are to create a deep, wellaerated arable layer, accumulate and retain productive moisture, mobilizing nutrients, destroying weeds, pathogens, and pests, as well as carefully leveling and loosening the surface layer to ensure uniform seed embedding at the optimal depth. Since chicory forms productive organs (root crops) directly in the soil, the quality of cultivation directly affects the commercial properties of the crop: in well-loosened soil, root crops acquire the correct shape and thicken evenly, while in compacted or lumpy soil, they become deformed, reducing product quality. Particular attention was paid to studying the effect of sowing dates and seed planting depth on field germination and further plant development. It has been established that sowing dates must be scientifically justified, taking into account the soil temperature regime, its physical maturity, and moisture supply. Delayed sowing leads to loss of soil moisture, drying out of the top layer, and deterioration of germination conditions, while too early sowing in insufficiently warmed soil causes delayed germination, seed disease, and sparse emergence. The depth of seed planting is also critical: if planted too shallow, the seeds end up in a fast-drying layer of soil and do not receive enough moisture to swell and germinate; if the depth is too great, the seedlings cannot break through the soil layer, especially in heavy soils prone to crusting.