Evaluation of root yield and morphological traits of 15 accessions and cultivars of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) in the plains of the north of Iran

In order to evaluate root yield and morphological traits of 15 endemic and imported chicory Cichorium intybus L.) accessions and cultivars, an experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with five replications in Khoshkedaran Research Station of Mazandaran province, Iran, during 2016-2018 years. In this study, the number of leaves per plant, leaf length and width, plant height, fresh and dry root yield, and some qualitative traits such as root shape and diameter, hairy leaf and stems, bolting time, lignified top root, longevity, and reproductive cycle of chicory accessions were measured. In the first year, the root was not harvested and in the second year, at the end of the rosette stage (rootstock start), the roots were harvested and the relevant measurements were made. Data for each morphological and functional trait were analyzed separately. The results showed that the Selenite cultivar had the highest fresh (35.458 t/ha) and dry (9.574 t/ha) root yield and ranked in the first group of means. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) based on yield and morphological traits showed that the first two components accounted for 72% of the total variation. Based on the results of cluster analysis (Ward method),   the genotypes were classified into four groups. The highest genetic distance was obtained between cluster two (Behshahr accession) and cluster four (foreign cultivars). The results of cluster analysis and PCA were in agreement with each other. According to the results, It was concluded that Tonekabon accession from the first cluster can be cross with the high-yielding cultivar Selenite to breeding improve new varieties of endemic chicory.