STUDIES ON PLANT GROWTH AND WINTER RESISTANCE OF SOME MANGOLD VARIETIES GROWN IN WESTERN ROMANIA

Mangold (Beta vulgaris ssp.cicla L.) is grown for leaf petiole, but also leafs can be consumed in different culinary dishes. Mangold (petiole beet) is grown since antiquity by all the peoples of the Mediterranean area, nowadays culture is known in most European countries, including northern areas. In Romania it is a species less known, being cultivated on small surfaces. Experience was carried out during 2017-2018, in a vegetable farm, in locality of Săcueni, Bihor County, favorable for the cultivation of mangold due to specific pedoclimatic conditions. Seven cultivars of mangold were studied, which were cultivated in the field. Objectives were to follow plant growth, their production as well as their resistance over the winter. The highest yield of 19.39 kg/m2 was recorded at Lucullus variety, with 34.74 % above the average, followed by Verte of Carde Blanche, with over 27.03 % above the average. Mangold plants resisted over 80 % in winter.