Effect of plant density and foliar nutrient application on seed yield and quality in Asiatic carrot (Daucus carota)

A field experiment was conducted to study effect of plant density and foliar spray of nutrients on carrot (Daucus carota L.) seed yield and quality during winter season of 2012-13 and 2013-14. Plant height, days to 50% flowering, number of umbels/plant, number of seeds/umbel, seed yield/umbel, percentage contribution of different order umbel to total seed yield, seed yield/plant, seed yield/ha, 1 000 seed (mericarp) weight, germination (%) and vigour index were recorded. Significant highest average plant height, earliness in days to 50% flowering and seed yield/ha (12.9 q) were observed in high plant density (13 plants/m(2)). More number of secondary (11.6) and tertiary umbels (30.1) and higher seed yield/plant (25.2g) were recorded in low plant density (4 plants/m(2)). Per cent contribution of primary umbel to total seed yield was maximum (41.76%) in 13 plants/m(2) and minimum (16.89%) in 4 plants/m(2). But an increasing trend in contribution percentage to total seed yield by secondary and tertiary umbels was recorded from 13plants/m(2)to 4plants/m(2). Seeds from primary and secondary umbels recorded high quality in plant density of 5 plants/m(2) and 4 plants/m(2) respectively. Comparative reduction in pooled seed vigour was observed in 7 plants/m(2) and 13 plants/m(2). Foliar spray of 0.1% MgSO(4)at 30 and 60 days after transplanting (DAT) increase the seed quality. Both seed yield and qualityincrease was observed in 0.1% borax spray at 30 and 60 DAT.