Omoregie Anthony Uhunomwan1, Umeri Clifford2 and Nwachukwu Chidi Maurice1
1 Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Crop Science, P.M.B.14, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria
1 University of Delta, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Crop Science, P.M.B. 2090, Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria
Omoregie, A. U., Umeri, C. & Nwachukwu, C. M. (2025). Effects of planting density and farm yard manure on the growth and yield of carrot (Daucus carota L) in a Forest-Savanna Transition Zone of Edo State, Nigeria. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 31(6), 1111–1118
A field study was conducted to investigate the impact of planting density and farmyard manure on the growth and yield of carrots (Daucus carota L.) in a forest-savanna transition zone of Edo State, Nigeria. The factors were density (30×10, 30×20, 40×10, and 40×20 cm) and farmyard manure (0 and 5 t/ha). The treatments were laid out in a 2×4 factorial scheme fitted into a randomized complete block design (RCBD) to give eight (8) treatment combinations and replicated three times. The data obtained were plant height (cm), Number of leaves/plant, and stem girth. Length of root (cm), weight of roots/plant (g), and root yield (/ha) were also determined. Generally, planting density and farmyard manure did not significantly influence the vegetative parameters measured. Carrots treated with 5 t/ha at a spacing of 40×20 cm had the highest plant height (44.30 cm) and stem girth (2.24 cm), while those at 40×10 and 30×10 cm had the lowest values of 38.53cm and 1.38cm, respectively. The highest number of leaves/plant (14.77) was obtained with 5/ha FYM at 40×20 cm, while the unfertilized crops at 40×20 cm yielded the least, at 10.90 cm. Farmyard manure application and planting density had no significant effect on the yield components of carrots. However, crops treated with 5 t/ha FYM at 30×20 cm had the longest roots, while unfertilized plants at 30 × 10 cm had the shortest. Density and farmyard manure significantly affected the root yield of carrots. The application of 5t/ha FYM at 40×10 cm produced the highest root yield (14.45 t/ha), while the unfertilized treatment at 30x10 cm gave the least (5.33 t/ha). Sowing of carrots at 40×10, fertilized with 5 t/h FYM, is recommended for carrot production in this locality.