PRELIMINARY MODEL OF CARROT GROWTH

A preliminary model is based on the data collected from the field trials carried out since 1996. The model is used for the computer simulation of carrot growth from seedling emergence to harvest.
It describes the effects of solar radiation, air temperature and soil water potential on the dry matter production and its partitioning into leaves and storage roots of carrot plants.
Absorbed photosynthetic active radiation (APAR) is calculated using the solar radiation measured every day and estimated leaf area.
Then the values of APAR are used for determination of the daily potential production of dry matter, which might be decreased by adverse temperature and soil water potential.
Dry matter partitioning is calculated on the basis of root and leaf dry matter ratio.
The model was calibrated for four cultivars of different earliness.
The differences in the growth rate of the tested cultivars seemed to be caused by the dry matter partitioning.
The model can be used for optimisation of carrot production and prediction of its yield.

International Workshop on Models for Plant Growth and Control of Product Quality in Horticultural Production

W. Krzesiński, M. Knaflewski

Daucus carota L., dry matter, partitioning, temperature, soil water potential, cultivars

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2004.654.26