Effect of Inter-row Spacing of Carrot Cultivars (<i>Daucus carota</i> L.) at Wolaita Soddo, South Ethiopia

Systematic studies on effect of inter-row spacing on carrot cultivars are limited at Wolaita area. Therefore, this study was conducted at Wolaita Soddo University plant science and horticulture research cite in 2017 cropping season to evaluate effect of inter-row spacing on growth, yield and quality of carrot cultivars. The research was conducted in randomized complete block factorial design in 3 replications. Nantes and Haramaya I carrot cultivars were evaluated at 5 inter-row spacing of 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm and 50 cm. Phenological data, growth data, yield data, quality related data and alternaria blight severity and incidence occurred during plant growth were collected during experimental period. Most of collected data shows significant difference in between cultivars, inter-row spacing as well as their interaction. According to the result, Haramaya I show vigorius growth than nantes. However, in total yield and marketable yield and quality parameters nantes is found better than Haramaya I. As far as inter row is concerned, even if narrow inter-row spacing shows longer in plant height and leaf length, wider inter-row spacing shows vigorous plant growth and lower disease incidence and severity. However, in yield and quality parameter best result was obtained in narrowest inter-row spacing. Generally, best result of 37.95 tons of total yield per hectar was obtained at nantes variety grown in 10 cm by 10 cm spacing. Similarly, better marketable yield was obtained in this variety and spacing. Notably, the highest marketable root yields of 8.7 t ha<sup>-1</sup> for the Nantes variety and 15.2 t ha<sup>-1</sup> for another option were achieved with 10 cm inter-row spacing. Consequently, the Nantes cultivar paired with a 10 cm x 10 cm spacing emerges as a promising combination for growers. However, since this research was conducted over just one season and limited to a single location, it is advisable to further explore this study across different locations and seasons for more comprehensive recommendations.