Effect of calcium amendment on the calcium content and storage quality of carrot ( Daucus carota L.).

摘要

Calcium (Ca) is an essential plant nutrient affecting the cell wall structure and many cell functions. Our earlier study carried out on carrot farms indicated a positive association between high Ca content in soil and good storage quality of carrots. Based on these preliminary results, the present study was conducted with the aim to improve the Ca status of carrot plants and strengthen the storage quality of carrot roots. Ca was added to soil by applying gypsum that contained calcium sulphate (CaSO 4.2H 2O). Field experiments were performed on four separate farms located in southwestern Finland in 2009 and 2010. Three Ca dosages were compared: 0, 575 and 1150 kg of Ca ha -1. Soil and carrots were analyzed for their Ca contents, and the storability of carrots was measured in storage experiments at 0.5掳C. Soil amendment with gypsum had minor effects on the soil Ca content, but it did not increase the Ca content of the carrot roots. The soil sulphur (S) content increased considerably, but the higher S supply in soil did not enhance the S uptake of the plant. The Ca fertilization did not improve the storage quality of carrots. However, the Ca content of carrots showed great variation between different fields. Further research is needed to investigate the significance of the nutrient status in terms of the storage quality of carrot.