Prediction of forage yield and nutritional quality of Cichorium intybus in the Loess Plateau

To reveal the effects of simulated rotational grazing on Cichorium intybus and determine the appropriate utilization modes in the Loess Plateau, we evaluate and predict the forage yield and nutritional quality of. C intybus under the two utilization modes in the Loess Plateau. C. intybus " Puna Ⅱ” and " Choice” were used to analyze the correlation between growth time and ≥ 0 ℃ accumulated temperature, and forage yield and nutritional quality were predicted and evaluated by conducting field trials such as regular cutting and simulated rotational grazing in 2012 and 2013. The results revealed that during simulated rotational grazing, with the increase in growth time and ≥ 0 ℃ accumulated temperature, the forage yield of Cichorium intybus and the yield of each nutrient index increased, while the quality content decreased. The crude protein, digestibility, and nutrition level of Cichorium intybus during simulated rotational grazing were significantly higher than those of onetime harvested hay (P < 0.01). Simulated rotational grazing retained the yield and nutritional quality of Cichorium intybus at a higher level. The nutritional value of Puna Ⅱ was significantly higher than that of Choice (P < 0.01). The growth time and ≥ 0 ℃ accumulated temperature were used to predict the forage yield and nutritional quality of Cichorium intybus; the accuracy of these prediction models was high and fit was good.