ADVANCING THE HARVEST OF BOLT-SENSITIVE ENDIVE (CICHORIUM ENDIVIA L.) BY MEANS OF TEMPORARY SINGLE AND DOUBLE DIRECT CROP COVERING (DC)

In the Belgian maritime climate (51° N. lat.) the bolt-sensitive endive could already be planted in 1985 on march 25th and directly covered with perforated plastic (DC). This DC was left on the plants until May 6th and harvesting took place at the end of May.

Between PE, LLDPE, and EVA, to which anti-fog and/or IR-properties were added, no significant differences in yield and bolting could be proved.

All kinds of plastics were perforated with 500 holes of 1 cm diameter per sq. m, i.e. 4 percent perforation intensity.

A DC with non-woven PP however yielded less favourable results which was attributed to a lower windscreen effect and a reduced light transmission.

The much more expensive double DC with the combinations PE + PP or double PP resulted in a smaller harvest than the single DC, and in this case the reduced light intensity was considered the main factor.

Bolting was delayed very efficiently in all these objects by raising the plants at a minimum temperature of 15° C.

Symposium on the Timing of Field Production of Vegetables

F. Benoit, N. Ceustermans

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1987.198.34