Seed Yield and Quality of Carrot (Daucus carota L.) in Response to Intercropping with Different Vegetables

Muhammad Ihsan Ali1, Kiran Dost2*, Tuba Faisal2, Umme Rubab2, Sana Fatima2 and Khuram Ziaf3

1Department of Seed Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan 2Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan 3Institute of Horticulture Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Carrot (Daucus carota L.) is an important crop that is grown through seed. In Pakistan, availability of locally produced vegetable seed of high quality is scarce. Our farmers cannot afford to produce seed on their farms because of long duration of seed crops and less income as compared to farming for fresh production. To tackle with this problem intercropping in carrot seed crop was evaluate. In this proposed experiment, carrot was intercrop with coriander, turnip, radish and onion. The experiment had been organized in vegetable area of Institute of Horticulture Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Varieties used for this experiment were as follow: T-29 of carrot, Dilpasand of coriander, Purple top of turnip, All Season of radish and Phulkara of onion. This experiment was conduct under Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The cultivated area had been divided into four blocks. Each block contained five treatments, i.e. four intercrops and one treatment comprising sole carrot seed crop. Data for various parameters of carrot and yield of intercrops collected at harvesting stage. Germination test of carrot seeds conducted in growth room of Department of Seed Science and Technology. Statistical analysis had been done using Statistix 8.1. LSD test was applied to compare the mean values of different treatments. Plant height and benefit cost ratio was increased when carrot seed crop intercropped with turnip all other characters i.e. number of secondary and tertiary umbels per plant, seed weight of primary, secondary and tertiary umbels, 1000 seed weight of primary, secondary and tertiary umbels, seed weight per plant, seedling length, fresh and dry weight and vigor index of all order umbels were decreased. The minimum value for plant height and benefit cost ratio and the maximum values for number of secondary and tertiary umbels per plant, seed weight of primary, secondary and tertiary umbels, 1000 seed weight of primary, secondary and tertiary umbels, seed weight per plant, seedling length, fresh and dry weight and vigor index of all order umbels was observed from sole carrot seed crop. Germination % was not affected by any treatment of intercropping. It was concluded that turnip was recommended as best intercrop with maximum benefit cost ratio.