Clipping trials with Puna chicory, Cichorium intybus, began in Pennsylvania in 1991 to examine the influence of management levels on herbage production and quality, suppression of floral stem production, and stand persistence. Pennlate orchardgrass, Dactylis glomerata, was used as a check species due to its high tolerance of different clipping schedules. Mean annual forage yield was greater for chicory than for orchardgrass in 1992 and 1993, with 2-year means of 9.4 and 7.9 Mg ha-1, respectively. Total forage mass of both species was unaffected by management in 1992 and likewise for orchardgrass in 1993. Chicory leaf mass was 33% less under light than under heavy management in 1992, whereas the effect of management intensity was not significant in 1993. Puna chicory showed an unusual resiliency to produce high yields of dry matter and crude protein over a wide range of management intensities. The concentrations of mineral elements in chicory generally met or exceeded National Research Council required levels for lactating dairy cows, while those in orchardgrass in many cases did not. These results show that Puna chicory can withstand many defoliation intensities while maintaining excellent productivity.
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