Influence of chicory plants density on size-mass root parameters

The article reflects the influence of the density of chicory plants on the size and mass parameters of chicory roots in the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. It has been established that, on average, over three years, the optimum plant density on chernozem podzolic coarse-medium-loamy is 140-150 thousand units / ha, which provides a yield of chicory roots of 44.7 t / ha and a collection of inulin of 6.36 t / ha. The decrease or increase in plant density from the optimum causes a significant decrease in yield. So, the lowest yield (34.8 t / ha) was obtained for plant densities – 90 thousand units / ha. The increase in plant standing density to 200-225 thousand units / ha ensured a decrease in root yield to 36.9-39.5 t / ha and a decrease in inulin collec­tion from a unit area – to 5.27-5.63 t / ha. For mechanized harvesting, the most suitable were chicory varieties with cone-shaped roots, evenly placed on the field with intervals between plants of 10-20 cm.