Effect of population densities, lines of seed per bed and root size on quality and yield of baby style carrots (Daucus carota Mill) in South Texas

Abstract

Baby style carrot Daucus carota Mill. Cv. "Caropak" was studied under four population densities, three different number of lines per bed and harvested under three root size harvest parameters in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Four phases in the baby style carrot process were evaluated. Length of the roots at harvest and projected values for total waste and marketable yield were estimated. Length was affected by root size at harvest, the most desirable root length occurred when harvested at 25-35% roots diameter >2 cm. The longer roots (16.55 cm) were in the treatments with 6 lines seed per bed and 197 plants/m 2 . This harvest criteria also produced the highest fresh weight, 49.2 t/ha, the highest cut and graded weight respectively (37.69 t/ha, 32.32 t/ha). Population density affected the fresh and cut weight in the baby style carrots process with the highest weight at 321 plants/m . Percent of cut waste was the same at the three root size at harvest with 21.65% of crowns and tips cut. The percent of graded waste was lowest when harvested at the biggest root size, 14.23 % and 4 lines seed per bed produced the highest waste with 18.14. Lines seed per bed affected the quality of the roots in the graded step. Projections for total waste and marketable yield