Abstract
Growth and development of carrot (Daucus carota L) growing in an organic soil (Histosol) was measured at 7-day intervals during a winter production season at Lake Jem, Florida. Fresh and dry weights and lengths of storage roots and longest leaves were measured, as were storage root diameter, leaf area, and number of leaves. Fresh market carrots 'Fancy Pack' and 'Dominator' were used in these experiments. Growth variables measured were related to degree-days and days after planting. Relationships of measured variables with degree days were not significantly different than relationships with days after planting. The strongest relationships were between days after planting and root length or length of largest leaf. The weakest relationships were between the number of leaves and fresh and dry weights of both leaves and roots. Most of the correlation coefficients were highly significant (P < 0.001) except those for number of leaves and root fresh and dry weights. Relationships between number of leaves and root weight, top dry weight, root dry weight, and leaf area were among the lowest obtained. Results presented are useful for estimating crop performance and harvest date and for monitoring growth and development to make effective pest and crop management decisions.
