Abstract

A study was carried out during the 2005 and 2006 growing seasons to evaluate the effect of increasingnitrogen fertilization rates on nitrate accumulation, vitamin C and ß-carotene content in two carrot genotypes. Nitrogen fertilizer (calcium ammonium nitrate, 27% N) was applied at four rates: 0, 60, 120 and 180 kgNha^-1.After harvesting, root samples were collected and tested for quality. The use of increasing nitrogen ratesresulted in increased nitrate accumulation in the roots. The increase in nitrogen fertilizer rate from 60 to 120 kgNha^-1 led to a reduction in Vitamin C content and an increase in ß-carotene. Differences were observedbetween cultivars and hybrids in all quality parameters tested.

Key words: Carrot, genotypes, nitrogen, nitrates, vitamin C, ß-carotene.