Early Root Growth of Carrots in Organic Soil1

Abstract

Abstract Early root growth of carrots (Daucus carota L.) was studied in specially constructed pots containing organic soil under controlled environments at 16°, 20°, 24°, and 28°C. Carrot tops produced greater amounts of bio-mass on a fresh or dry weight basis than did roots, whereas taproots demonstrated faster rates of linear growth than did the tops throughout the 24-day sampling period at all temperatures. The optimum range of temperatures for carrot root growth was 20-24°C. Taproots reached the potential length for market-acceptable storage roots (15.2 cm) between 12 and 16 days after planting at 20°, 24°, and 28°C and after 20 days at 16°C. Average taproot lengths after 24 days at 16°, 20°, 24°, and 28°C were 23.6, 38.5, 35.6, and 16.7 cm, respectively. Secondary roots had developed by the 8th day and tertiary roots by the 20th day. Tertiary roots were confined to the upper 5 cm of the root system at this early date.