Response of Nantes Carrot (Daucus Carota L.) variety to blended NPS and K fertilizers in Sodo Zuria Woreda of Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Carrot is the cheap source of carotenoids, vitamins, and minerals and has the potential to tackle chronic Vitamin A malnutrition in Ethiopia and generate income for resource-poor farmers. However, its productivity was low due to low soil fertility as one of the many constraints. Therefore, this field experiment was conducted to assess the response of Nantes carrot variety to blended NPS and KCl fertilizer rates at Sodo Zuria Woreda. The experiment consisted of four rates of NPS (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg/ha1) and four rates of KCl (0, 71, 142 and 213 kg/ha1) fertilizers in factorial arrangement and laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The results of analyses of variance revealed that NPS and KCl fertilizers as well as the interaction effects of the two fertilizers had significant effects on yield components and root yield of the commercial variety except root length, which was not significantly influenced by interaction effects of the two fertilizers. The highest total and marketable root yield of 30.5 and 24.6 t ha-1, respectively, was obtained by the combined application of 150 kg/ha1 NPS and 213kg/ha1KCl fertilizers. The highest marginal rate of return (MRR %) (2755.97%) was obtained from 150 kg NPS ha-1 without KCl fertilizer application. However, the combined application of 150 kg ha-1 NPS and 213 kg ha-1 KCl fertilizers bear the highest total net benefit of 118881 Birr per hectare with MRR of 1385%, which was above the minimum acceptable range. This could be used to obtain high root yield and better economic return to producers in the study area.