For some time now, the variety trials for the early forcing of chicory have been carried out by Chiconsult in collaboration with LTO-Groeiservice. These variety trials are funded by the PT. This is why any chicory forcer can attend the variety trial evenings. This year, the varieties Atlas, Désir, Jadore, Jocker, Ecrine and Topscore were included in the trials for early forcing. The variety trials were then performed one after another at Nature's Gold Production, Fa. S. Hemmes and at the farm of E. Selles.

Jocker stands out

Most varieties have been included in the variety trials for some years now. This was the first year that Jocker was included in these trials. Jocker stood out from the crowd: in IJsselmuiden and Zundert in particular, Jocker was seen to produce a good combination of earliness, harvests and quality, with Jocker possibly producing its best performance at the IJsselmuiden trials. There, we saw a full batch of chicory with a very high harvest, high specific weight and a relatively short pith. Atlas, Désir and Jadore actually also scored well with great batches of chicory. Just look at the photos for more proof! (click on them to enlarge them)