Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer on growth, yield and quality of carrot (Daucus carota L.)

Organic farming is gaining popularity worldwide due to its harmony with nature, human and animal health. In Pakistan, there is tremendous potential for development of organic vegetable sector but unfortunately adequate study in this regard are lacking. The experiment was conducted at Vegetable Experimental Area, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during 2011-2012, to see the effect of organic (FYM and poultry manure) and inorganic fertilizer (NPK, SOP and Urea) on the growth, yield and quality of carrot (Daucus carota L.) variety "T-29". These fertilizers were obtained from vegetable area, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad The experiment was laid out according to randomized complete block design (RCBD), comprising of ten treatments and three replications. The parameters on vegetative growth, yield and quality response were recorded and statistically analyzed at 5% level of significance. The treatment means were compared by LSD test. Different doses of organic and inorganic fertilizers were applied, the plants showed variations in their different parameters like plant height, number of leaves per plant, root length (cm), root diameter (mm), root volume (cm3), core diameter (mm), root fresh weight (g), root dry weight (g), foliage fresh weight (g), foliage dry weight (g), foliage dry matter percentage (%), root dry matter percentage (%), total plant weight (g), harvest index (%), yield (tones per hectare), number of forked roots (%), root color, Juice content percentage (%), pH of juice, total soluble solids (Brix) and Chlorophyll contents (CCi). The treatment T4 (50% Farm Yard Manure and 50% poultry manure) almost showed the maximum value in all yield and quality parameters followed by T6 (25% Poultry Manure+75% Chemical Fertilizer), T9 (33.33% FYM+33.33% Poultry Manure + 33.33% Chemical Fertilizer) and T1 (100% FYM). So T4 (50% Farm Yard Manure and 50% poultry manure) is observed as the best combination for carrot crop.