QUALITY OF CARROT (DAUCUS CAROTA L.) AS AFFECTED BY THE APPLICATION OF POTASSIUM FERTILIZER.

A field experiment was conducted to assess the quality of carrot variety T-29 as affected by the application of potassium fertilizer. Potassium was applied @ 0, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 kg/ha and carrot was sown during the month of November of every year. The experiment was continued for consecutive three years i.e. 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 at research area of Biochemistry Section, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Pakistan. Yield data were collected and quality parameters pulp, juice, TSS, vitamin C, dry matter, total sugars and reducing sugars were determined. Results revealed that the application of K enhanced the yield and quality parameters. Root yield in various treatments ranged from 20.6 to 30.8 in 2017, 18.0 to 25.8 in 2018 and 17.5 to 27.8 t/ha in 2019, minimum in control and maximum at treatment where K was applied @ 120 kg/ha. Quality parameters like pulp, juice, mineral matter and vitamin-C did not affect significantly by the application of K while the total sugars were increased from 4.0 to 5.6, 4.7 to 5.5 and 5.5 to 6.8% (Minimum in control and maximum with 120 kg/ha K application) during the years 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively. Maximum antioxidant potential i.e. 75.2, 80.13 and 78.6 was found with potassium application of 120 kg/ha during all years. Pro vitamin A contents (3782 and 3706 μg/100g) were analyzed during 2018 and 2019, respectively where 100 kg/ha potassium was applied. In short, potassium application could be effective for carrot optimum yield and quality enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]