THE INFLUENCE OF IRRIGATION INTERVAL ON CROP PERFORMANCE OF CARROTS (DAUCUS CAROTA L.) DURING WINTER PRODUCTION

Carrots (Daucus carota L.) were irrigated to field capacity after depletion of 20, 40, 60 and 80% of available moisture. Yields were adversely affected by very dry irrigation regimes, while top growth as well as the ratio of top growth to root growth was enhanced by frequent irrigations. Root analyses showed an increase in beta-carotene content with a decrease in irrigation frequency. Frequent irrigations reduced soil temperature, occurrence of green shoulders and cracking of roots while irrigation regimes did not influence vitamin C content significantly. Longer irrigation intervals tended to produce thinner roots with conical shaped shoulders.