Effects of integrated fertilizers and storage environments on the shelf life of carrot (daucus carota l.) varieties in Nsukka, Enugu State Nigeria.

Fertilizers, varieties, packaging materials and storage environments are capable of influencing the physical appearance and shelf life of carrot directly or indirectly. The split-split plot experiment laid out in a completely randomized design replicated four times was carried out in the Department of Crop Science Laboratory, University of Nigeria, Nsukka to assess the effects of fertilizer combinations, varieties and storage environment on the postharvest quality of carrots in storage under ambient conditions. Five levels of fertilizer combinations (control, 0 t/ha, 20 t/ha poultry manure, 20 t/ha pig manure, 10 t/ha poultry manure + 200kg/ha N: P: K 15:15:15, 10 t/ha pig manure + 200kg/ha N: P: K 15:15:15), three genotypes of carrot (Safety Touchon France, Carotte Touchon AM and Carotte Touchon ETS) and two storage environments (Perforated transparent polyethylene bags and Non- packaged on laboratory shelf) were evaluated. The results revealed that fertilizers significantly (p < 0.05) influenced weight loss, freshness index and post harvest attributes of the roots during the three weeks of storage. Carrot genotypes had notable effect on the weight loss, rot and shriveling of the roots. Perforated transparent polyethylene bags notably influenced (p < 0.05) the quality of carrots in storage. The results showed that packaging of carrot in perforated transparent polyethylene bags was an effective storage environment than non-packaging. Integrating optimal fertilization, varietal selection, and storage environment would provide a comprehensive approach to improving the postharvest performance of carrots.