Preliminary results of dandelion cultivation under different seeding rates and harvest regimes

In the past, several wild plants were widely consumed as food by humans. Dandelion [Taraxacum officinale (L.) Weber ex F.H. Wigg] is a wild species with remarkable nutritional and medicinal properties. Many studies have investigated the chemical components of the plant for human health. Nonetheless, little research has been carried out on the cultivation and related production of this species. With this study, we intend to investigate some cultural practices to start defining an efficient protocol for dandelion cultivation in northern Italy. Two seeding rates (0.14 and 0.55 g m⁻²) and two harvest regimes (when leaves reached a length of 20 cm and 1 week later) were compared. Leaf fresh weight yield was determined at each harvest, and the following morphological parameters were measured: plant height, number of plants per square meter, number of leaves per square meter, leaf area index, number of leaves per plant, leaf weight, and specific leaf weight. The productivity of dandelion was found to be unaffected by the seeding rate, and no significant differences were found between harvest regimes. The delayed harvest regime was only advantageous at the first cut as it allowed for a longer establishment phase, resulting in a higher yield. The nitrate content in the leaves differed between the first two cuts and the third and fourth cuts with both harvest regimes and both sowing rates.