Effects of fertilizers on nutritive characteristics of carrot

Abstract

In this experiment, different types of fertilization on some carrot cultivars were applied. The cultivars used were: Nantes SP-80, Amsterdam early, Long blunt heartless - Laros, Flaker and Braunsvajska. In the course of two years, these carrot cultivars were fertilized in three ways: 1) using manure 50 t/ha, 2) NPK (15: 15: 15) 670 kg/ha, and 3) calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) 670 kg/ha. A non-fertilized group was also used as control. The elementary soil cultivation was carried out in autumn and the fertilizers were added and broadcast three days before sowing in April. The experiment was carried out using a Randomized Complete Block System with three replications on the experimental plots of the Centre for Vegetable Crops. The obtained results were analyzed according to the method of three- experiment and they suggested significant differences depending upon the manner of fertilization. For both years the average yield achieved by fertilization was significant (the highest yield was applied by manure). There were significant differences among the cultivars (from Amsterdam early 27.06 t/ha till Flaker 57.52 t/ha) and years. Significant differences were also evident in the cultivar and year correlation. The produced carrot roots were used as raw material for the production of biologically fermented juice. Then, the chemical analyses of the carrot roots and the juice were conducted. Fertilization by NPK resulted in increasing the contents of dry matter, ash, protein, calcium and copper. The application of the NPK fertilizer caused the reduction of the nitrate content whereas by applying CAN fertilizer as well as in the control, the nitrate content was the highest. The highest values of the nitrite content were recorded in control, whereas the lowest was found in manuring. By applying CAN fertilizer, the highest values of phosphorus and iron were recorded.