Abstract:
Carrot (Daucus carota L.) is an important root vegetable cultivated widely in the world as
well as in Ethiopia in particular. However, the total root yield is low at the international,
national and regional levels as compared to its potential, due to various factors including
lack of improved varieties, low soil fertility, inappropriate application rates and type of
fertilizers, lack of enhanced agronomic and cultural practices, occurrence of diseases and
insect pests and lack of improved post-harvest technologies. Among these, inappropriate
application of macro and micronutrient fertilizers is the bottleneck of agronomic practices
that caused tremendous yield reduction. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at
demonstration and research site of Debre Berhan University during the main cropping
season of 2022/23 to evaluate the effects of different rates of blended NPS and boron
fertilizers on growth, yield, and quality of carrot. The treatments consisted of factorial
combinations of four rates of NPS fertilizer (0, 75, 150 and 225 kg ha-1) and four levels of B
(0, 250, 500 and 750ppm). The experiment was laid down in a randomized complete block
design with three replications using the ‘Nantes’ carrot variety as a test crop. Accordingly,
the combined application of 150 kg ha-1 of NPS and 500ppm boron application rates resulted
in the widest root diameter (2.45cm), highest root dry weight (19.34g), highest marketable
root yield (56.28 t ha-1), highest total root yield (58.68 t ha-1) and highest dry matter content
(45.7%). In addition, this treatment resulted in the highest net benefit (Birr 1248724 ha-1)
with an acceptable marginal rate of return (1879.22 %).In conclusion, the combined
application of NPS at 150 kg ha-1 and B at 500ppm rates could be recommended to increase
the production of carrot in terms of yield and quality in the study area and other similar
agro- ecologies. However, additional study is needed in different seasons and locations to
give full recommendation since the study was conducted in a single season and location.
