Successive harvesting affects yield, chemical composition and antioxidant activity of Cichorium spinosum L.

•The effect of successive harvesting on yield and quality of C. spinosum was studied.•The application of more than two harvests resulted in quality loss.•Chemical composition and bioactive compounds content was higher in the 2nd period.•Sowing date and successive harvesting may affect quality and yield of C. spinosum.

In the present study, the effect of successive harvesting on yield, chemical composition and antioxidant activity of Cichorium spinosum plants was examined. C. spinosum plants were grown from seeds sown in seed trays containing peat and young seedlings were transplanted in 2L pots containing peat and perlite (1:1 v/v). Plants were harvested two or three times during two consecutive growing periods. Total fresh weight and number of leaves were higher for successive harvests in both growing periods comparing to a single harvest. The application of more than two harvests resulted in quality loss during the 1st growing period, while in the 2nd growing period the overall chemical composition, antioxidant properties and phenolic compounds content was higher than the 1st period. In conclusion, cultivation practices such as sowing date and successive harvesting may be useful tools towards the production of high quality end-product with increased bioactive properties without compromising total yield.