THE IMPACT OF PLANT BIOSTIMULANT ON THE QUALITATIVE INDICATORS OF EDIBLE CARROTS (DAUCUS SATIVUS ROHL.)

Abstract

Carrots are the second most important vegetable in terms of cultivation and consumption in Lithuania. Due to the high value of carrots for consumption, it is important to constantly improve their quality and productivity while reducing resources and costs.

Biostimulants are a new generation of stimulatory components composed of biologically active substances. They are more natural than fertilizers or pesticides and may contain microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi) and actively affect important plant processes. Currently, great attention is paid to the appropriate use of biostimulants in practice and to solving global problems such as hunger, food waste, and obesity. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the effect of a biostimulant on the quality indicators of edible carrots (Daucus Sativus Rohl.) and their productivity.The field experiment was carried out in 2021 at the Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy Experimental Station. Nitrate, ash content, and color were determined in the laboratory.

The study found that the highest nitrate content was accumulated in the roots of the 'Amsterdam2' variety, significantly 4.0 times more than in the 'Karotela' variety roots. The lowest nitrate content was found using the biostimulant norm of 1 l ha^-1. The 'Amsterdam2' variety roots accumulated 25.7% more green ash than the 'Karotela' variety roots.

The 'Amsterdam2' variety carrot roots had a more intense (L*) color, and the intensity of color (L*) decreased insignificantly when using a biostimulant at a rate of 2 l ha^-1. The 'Karotela' variety carrot roots' color (a*) was 7.4% more intense than the 'Amsterdam2' variety. The red color intensity in the 'Amsterdam2' variety roots increased significantly from 4.5 to 5.1% when increasing the biostimulant norm. The color intensity of the 'Karotela' variety carrot roots decreased significantly by 4.6% using 1 l ha-1 biostimulant. The 'Amsterdam2' variety carrot roots had a significantly higher (b*) color intensity of 4.5% compared to the 'Karotela' variety.