Yield and yield contributing characters as influenced by integrated nutrient management and sowing methods in European carrot (Daucus carota L.)

Abstract

Carrot is used as a vegetable for soups, stews, curries and pies. Grated roots are used as salad. A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2010-11 and 2011-12 at Experimental Farm of Department of Vegetable Science, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Solan HP to access the effect of integrated nutrient management and methods of sowing on yield and quality of European carrot cultivar ‘Solan Rachna’. Different organic manures and their combinations with bio-fertilizers and inorganic fertilizers along with recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) @ 52:40:36 kg NPK ha-1 and two methods of sowing viz. ridge and flat bed method were used. The results of the present investigation revealed that treatment (T7) involving 75% recommended dose of P + 12.5 kg Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) + recommended dose of NK gave highest root yield (265.65 qha-1) and maximum benefit cost ratio (2.73:1). Among sowing methods ridge bed method of sowing was performed better than flat bed method of sowing for most of yield contributing characters. Therefore, for quality root production of European carrots, sowing on ridges along with integrated use of bio-fertilizer and inorganic fertilizers gave better results than their individual application is recommended for carrot cultivation in mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh.