Oakes Irrigation Research Site
Carrington Research Extension Center * North Dakota State University
P.O. Box 531, Oakes, ND 58474-0531, Voice: (701) 742-2189, FAX: (701) 742-2700, email: rgreenla@ndsuext.nodak.edu

EFFECTS OF CALCIUM AND NITROGEN FERTILIZER
APPLICATION ON CARROT ROOT YIELD AND
STORAGE QUALITY.

Larry Cihacek, NDSU Soil Science Department
Chiwon Lee, NDSU Plant Sciences Department
Robert Stack, NDSU Plant Pathology Department
Richard Greenland, NDSU Oakes Research Site

Results summary

Table 68. Carrot yield response to nitrogen and calcium fertilization.

Carrot deterioration in storage due to soft rot is a serious problem for producers placing their crop in storage. Calcium (Ca) is a nutrient that is essential to the formation of structural components in cell walls of plants, thereby enhancing cell wall integrity and strength. During 1999, we conducted a study applying calcium nitrate and calcium chloride as broadcast applications to determine whether top dressed Ca-containing fertilizers have an effect on carrot yield, storage and quality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A study with seven treatments was established in June 1999 at the Oakes Irrigation Research Site using a randomized complete block design with five replications. Treatments included: (1) an unfertilized check; (2) early application of 140 lbs N/acre as ammonium nitrate: (3) 280 lbs N/acre as ammonium nitrate applied as an early and a late split of 140 lbs N/acre at each application; (4) an early application of 200 lb Ca/acre as calcium nitrate; (5) a late application of 200 lbs Ca/acre as calcium nitrate; (6) 400 lbs Ca/acre as calcium nitrate applied as a split of 200 lbs/acre early and 200 lbs/acre late; and (7) 400 lbs Ca/acre as calcium chloride split between the early and late applications. 280 lbs N/acre as ammonium nitrate were also applied to this treatment as a split application to correspond with the other N rates in this study. The N rates were comparable to the rates of N applied with the calcium nitrate. Plots consisted of 3 beds, each 56 inches wide (center to center) with 2 double rows of carrots seeded 22 inches apart on top of each bed with a Stanhay vegetable planter. Plots were 17 feet long with a 3 foot alley between replications. All fertilizer applications were top dressed over the beds. Drip irrigation was used throughout the season.

The early fertilizer application was applied on August 16 and the late fertilizer application was 4 weeks later. Carrots were harvested on October 5. Carrots were harvested from 1 meter of bed (2 double rows) from each plot. Carrots were separated into tops and roots in the field. Carrot tops were washed, dried and weighed for dry matter production. Roots were washed, graded and weighed by grade to determine root yield. Six carrots were randomly selected from the US #1 grade for further analysis of cell leakage and nutrient content. Additional samples were collected in the field for storage evaluation and are presently being observed by the Plant Pathology Department.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 68 shows the preliminary results of the yield evaluations. The highest yields appeared to be on the unfertilized check while the lowest yields were observed for the calcium chloride treatment. Top dressing carrots with the calcium containing materials caused leaf burn due to the hygroscopic nature of the materials. Although both Ca materials are granular, the calcium chloride caused the greatest burn due to its finer granule size and rapid absorption of atmospheric moisture which caused the material to stick to the leaves and liquefy. The high salt content then caused the leaf burn and thus reduced yields. Further analyses are ongoing at the writing of this report and the data has not been completely collected and analyzed.

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Table 68. Carrot yield response to nitrogen and calcium fertilization.
Trt no. Nutrient applied Fertilizer used Carrot top dry matter yield Fresh root yield
Nitrogen Calcium
Amount timing Amount timing US #1 US #2 cull total
lbs/acre lbs/acre tons/acre
1 -- -- -- -- -- 2.41 27.5 a 8.6 11.7 47.6 a
2 140 early -- -- AmN 2.69 20.2 b 4.3 14.3 38.8 bc
3 140 early -- -- AmN 2.52 12.7 c 5.9 17.0 35.5 bc
140 late -- -- AmN
4 140 early 200 early CaN 2.67 20.6 b 6.4 14.1 41.1 ab
5 140 late 200 late CaN 2.53 17.2 bc 7.1 17.0 41.2 ab
6 140 early 200 early CaN 2.42 18.4 bc 6.5 14.1 39.0 bc
140 late 200 late CaN
7 140 early 200 early AmN & CaCl 2.39 13.2 c 7.0 12.5 32.7 c
140 late 200 late AmN & CaCl

Early application was on August 16. The late application was 4 weeks later.

Fertilizer used in applying the N and Ca: AmN is Ammonium Nitrate; CaN is Calcium Nitrate; CaCl is Calcium Chloride.

Values in the same column followed by the same letter are not significantly different at the 0.05 level. If no letters in column, then there are no significant differences between values in that column.

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