Seasonal nutrient partitioning and uptake in hybrid carrot seed production

Abstract

AbstractCentral Oregon is an important production region for hybrid carrot (Daucus carota L.) seed. Hybrid carrots are favored by the fresh vegetable market, but often produce lower and less consistent seed yields than traditional open‐pollinated varieties. Understanding how hybrid carrots use nutrients to support seed production for hybrid varieties can help growers manage soil fertility for optimal seed yield. The objective of this research was to evaluate seasonal nutrient partitioning and uptake in a modern Nantes‐type hybrid carrot grown for seed. Plants from four randomized replicated plots in two commercial fields were destructively sampled throughout the growing season, separated into roots, tops, and umbels; seed samples were collected at harvest. Plant samples were weighed and dried for biomass content and analyzed for N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, and B concentration. Mean whole plant nutrient uptake at crop maturity for N, P2O5, K2O, S, Ca, Mg, and Na was 137, 35, 229, 16, 105, 38, and 25 kg ha−1, respectively; Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, and B uptake was 156, 1,984, 414, 35, and 305 g ha−1, respectively. Our findings highlighted the critical need for Cu in initial crop establishment, for N, K, Zn, and Fe in crown development, and for P and Zn in seed development, based on nutrient uptake proportion relative to the other nutrients taken up during that period. This information is available as a resource to agronomists, crop advisors, and growers who are interested in optimizing nutrient management practices for hybrid carrot seed production.