Effect of pre-sowing treatments on germination, growth and yield of carrot (Daucus carota L.) in a forest-savanna transition Zone of Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Crop Unit, Teaching and Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, to evaluate the effects of pre-sowing treatments on carrot germination, growth, and yield. The treatments involved two varieties (Touchun and Nantes) and four pre-sowing treatments: no priming (control), Hydro, Hallo, and Sand Matric Priming, resulting in eight treatment combinations. The experiment was arranged in a 2 x 4 factorial design within a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), replicated three times. Data collected included germination percentage, plant height, number of leaves/plants, total leaf area/plant, stem girth, root length, root diameter, and root yield. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a 5% significance level was used to analyze the data, with mean separation by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The results showed that pre-sowing treatment significantly (P?0.05) reduced seed germination time, with Hydro-treated seeds emerging 50% earlier than untreated seeds. Nantes variety germinated earlier than Touchun. While the variety had no significant effect on growth parameters, Touchun produced taller plants with thicker stems. Pre-sowing treatment influenced plant height and total leaf area, with Sand Matric Priming resulting in taller plants and thicker stems. However, pre-sowing treatments did not significantly affect root yield. Touchun treated with Hydro and Hallo is recommended for early germination and improved root production in this locality.