Growing Endive Plants (Cichorium endivia L. var. crispum) Under Different Planting Dates and Spacing in Egypt

This investigation was carried out on the curled endive (Cichorium endiviaL. var. Crispum) cv. Salad King in private farm located at El-Giza governorate, Egypt during the two successive seasons of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 A.D. Seedlings of endive were transplanting on October 15th, November 15th and December 15th and three planting space were used (10, 15 and 20 cm) in both growing seasons.The highest values of plant length and leaves number per plant were obtained from transplanting in October 15th with the spacing 20 cm in both seasons respectively. The greatest value of ascorbic acid and dry weight were obtained from transplanting in October 15th. In addition the best plant spacing for ascorbic acid content was 15 cm and for dry weight 20 cm. Total sugar, inulin, fresh weight per rosette (g) and yield per plot (kg) were obtained from transplanted on October 15th. However, the highest amount of total sugar and inulin were found from grown plants in spacing 15 cm, while the fresh weight per rosette was obtained from spacing 10 cm and yield per plot was obtained from spacing 15 cm among plants.