Effect of planting density and umbel order on seed yield parameters in European carrot (Daucus carota L.)

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of planting density and umbel order on seed yield parameters of European carrot cv. Early nantes during two consecutive years (2020-21 and 2021-22) at experiment farm of Vegetable Research Station Kalpa (Kinnaur) of Department of Seed Science and Technology, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP). The experiment utilized 16 treatment combining four planting densities (45 cm×30 cm- 6 plants (D1), 45 cm×15 cm- 12 plants (D2), 30 cm×30 cm- 9 plants (D3) and 30 cm×15 cm- 18 plants (D4)) and four umbel orders (Retaining primary umbels (U1), Retaining secondary umbels (U2), Retaining tertiary umbels (U3) and Retaining all umbels (U4)). The primary objective was to determine the optimal combination for maximizing seed yield. The studies revealed that highest planting density of 30 cm×15 cm yielded maximum seed output (93.214 g/plot and 920.63 kg/ha), whereas retaining of all umbels consistently enhanced the yield parameters (113.99g/plot and 1,125.91kg/ha) across different densities. Out of 16 treatment combinations, U4×D4 (Retaining all umbels + 30 cm×15 cm planting density) was the best for seed yield per plot (175.95g) and seed yield per hectare (1,737.78 kg). the finding suggest that strategic manipulation of planting density and umbel order can effectively optimize seed production in European carrots, potentially informing best practices for commercial seed production.