Effect of irrigation interval, nitrogen levels and intra row spacing on growth and yield of carrot (Daucus carota L.) at Dadin-Kowa, Gombe State

Abstract

Field trials were conducted during 2010/2011, 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 dry seasons at the Federal College of Horticulture Research Farm, Dadin-Kowa, Gombe State to study the effect of irrigation interval, nitrogen levels and intra row spacing on growth and yield of carrot. The treatments consisted of three irrigation intervals (5, 7 and 9 days), four nitrogen rates (0, 50, 100 and 150Kg N/ha) and three intra row spacing (5, 10 and 15 cm). The treatments were combined and laid in a split-split- plot design with irrigation interval in the main plot, nitrogen levels in sub-plots while intra row spacing were assigned to the sub-sub-plots. The treatments were replicated three times in each season. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance. Means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results revealed that the application of water at every 5-days interval produced statistically taller plants, more leaves/ plant; longer leaf length, higher fresh weight of root, higher root length, higher root diameter and higher root yield in all the three seasons of study. The results also revealed that increasing levels of nitrogen from 0 to 150 Kg N/ha significantly increased the growth parameters and yield components of the crop. Similarly, increasing intra row spacing from 5 to 15cm produced significant increase in all growth characters as well as yields components at all the stages of sampling in all the three seasons of study. There was significant interaction between nitrogen application and spacing on yield of carrot. Therefore, it can be concluded that the application of water at every 5-days interval and application of 150Kg N/ha combined with 15cm intra-row spacing appeared optimum for yield of carrot.