Leaf nitrate concentrations in chicory cultivars, grown on hydroponics during the summer, in function of harvest time.

Abstract

The accumulation of nitrate in vegetables has been studied by many researchers, due to the problems it can bring to human health. For this reason, the object of this research was to evaluate the difference among chicory cultivars and between two harvest times in terms of nitrate accumulation in the leaves. The experiment was conducted in hydroponics using four cultivars (Pão de Açúcar, Precoce de Trieste, Folha Larga and Catalonha) and two harvest times (5 a.m. and 5 p.m.). There was a significant interaction between factors, in which all cultivars showed higher levels of nitrate when harvested at 5 p.m. The cultivars Folha Larga and Precoce de Trieste are recommended for hydroponics systems and conditions, because of their lower nitrate accumulation, independently of the harvest time, thus representing lower risk to human health.Additional keywords: Cichorium intybus; protected cultivation; soilless cultivation.