Growth and Yield Response of Carrot (<i>Daucus carota </i>L.) to Fertilizer Rate in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Carrot (Daucus carota L.) is a significant root vegetable cultivated and consumed in Ethiopia. However, there has been limited research on the optimal fertilizer rates to enhance carrot growth and yield in the Wolaita zone. A field experiment was carried out to assess the impact of four different rates of NPS fertilizer (0 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>, 60 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>, 120 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>, and 180 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>) and four rates of urea fertilizer (0 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>, 45 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>, 90 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>, and 135 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>) on carrot growth and yield. Most growth parameters, except root length per plant, leaf length per plant at both sites, and core diameter per plant at Delbo, were significantly affected by the fertilizer rates. The highest plant height (32.6 cm) with 120 kg/ha NPS and 90 kg/ha urea, leaf number per plant (12.1) and shoot weight per plant (7.4 g) at 180 kg/ha NPS and 135 kg/ha urea, shoot dry weight per plant (1.5 g) at 0 kg/ha NPS and 135 kg/ha urea, root diameter (2.4 cm) at 60 kg/ha NPS and 90 kg/ha urea, root fresh weight per plant (31.3 g), root yield, and marketable yield (31,333 kg/ha) at 180 kg/ha NPS and 90 kg/ha urea, and root dry weight per plant (2.9 g) at 120 kg/ha NPS and 45 kg/ha urea were recorded at Delbo. At Soddo site, the highest plant height (43.3 cm), root weight per plant (29.0 g), root yield (32,333 kg/ha) at 120 kg/ha NPS and 0 kg/ha urea, leaf number (9.5) at 0 kg/ha NPS and 135 kg/ha urea, shoot weight per plant (11.1 g) at 60 kg/ha NPS and 0 kg/ha urea, shoot dry weight per plant (2.4 g) at 60 kg/ha NPS and 135 kg/ha Urea, marketable yield (27,800 kg/ha) at 120 kg/ha NPS and 135 kg/ha Urea, root dry weight per plant (3.3 g) and shelf life (24.0 days) at 0 kg/ha NPS and 0 kg/ha Urea was obtained, respectively. Applying a fertilizer rate of 180 kg/ha NPS and 90 kg/ha at Delbo, along with a rate of 120 kg/ha NPS and 135 kg/ha at Soddo, demonstrated the potential to enhance carrot productivity in the experimental region and in areas with comparable environmental conditions. It is advisable to conduct this study again in various seasons to provide more accurate recommendations.