213 Medicinal Pastures: Germination Assessment of Chicory (Cichorium intybus) Seeds Collected in Alentejo, South Portugal O. Póvoa, N. Farinha and V. Generoso Escola Superior Agrária de Elvas Instituto Politécnico de Portalegre Portugal Keywords: biodiversity, medicinal pastures, seed germination Abstract In modern sustainable grazing systems, there is an increased emphasis on the use of nontraditional forages and local varieties to supply nutrients to livestock. Low availability of forage early in the growing season and low nutritive value in the summer could limit animal production in Alentejo. The main goal of these studies is to assess local populations of chicory (Cichorium intybus) in view of their propagation to use as grazed forage with medicinal purposes. Seeds from 10 accessions of C. intybus were collected in the Alentejo region in September 2009 and stored at room tempera- ture (ca. 20°C). Seeds were chilled at 5°C for 7 days or stored at room temperature (20°C) (control). Germination trials were performed in light and temperature controlled thermostats, at 20°C at total darkness and at 12-h daily photoperiod. Best germination results were observed in light and without seed dormancy break treat- ment: accession 61/2009E with 53,5% at 20°C at light, without seed dormancy break treatment. Accessions 6/2009E and 64/2009E also had a high germination rate. The rest of the accessions gave germination values under 40%. Germination started on the 2 nd day in the majority of cases. Best results were obtained at light and without seed dormancy break treatment, with significant differences between both photoperiod and pre-treatment modalities. INTRODUCTION Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a Compositae that occurs in Portugal in cultivated and abandoned places, sometimes also cultivated as a coffee substitute, mainly in central and south Portugal (Franco, 1984). Cichorium intybus is best known for the extract of its roots used as an ingredient in ‘coffee substitute’ beverages or even for its medicinal uses (Bown, 1995). Its blue flowers also possess ornamental potential. Its use as a grazed forage for ruminants is less well known. Several authors reported high contents of some major and minor trace minerals in chicory and commented on its use in pasture mixtures as a source of these minerals (Barry, 1998; Holst et al., 2006). Others reported its potential use as medicinal pasture, with a positive effect as a dewormer (Deane, 2002; Kidane, 2009). According to Corbineau and Côme (1990), seed quality depends on the genetic characteristics of the plants, but it is also strongly affected both by the conditions of seed development on the mother plants and by storage conditions. Germinating in a large range of temperatures (5 to 30°C), with its optimum around 25-30°C, seeds did not show dormancy. Ellis et al. (1985) and Rao et al. (2006) recommend for C. intybus germination the use of temperature of 20°C or the alternating 20/30°C regime with a photoperiod of 16/8h, Germination trials are expected to end after 14 days. In addition to light, potassium nitrate content of soils, as well as excess moisture for the first 24 h are also indicated as efficient dormancy breaking treatments. 20°C is regarded as optimal germination temperature. Germination between 5-35°C takes 3-4 days, with a maximum germination rate at the temperature optimum (Black et al., 2006). Germination trials with commercial cultivars of C. intybus gave best results (above 80%) at 20°C. Germination rates were reduced (below 38%) at low temperatures (10°C); Proc. XXVIII th IHC – IHC Seminar: A New Look at Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Eds.: Á. Máthé et al. Acta Hort. 925, ISHS 2011