REFERENCE SUFFICIENCY RANGES
VEGETABLE CROPS

---

Carrot

E. A. Hanlon and G. J. Hochmuth

---

• Critical Values

  None established.

• Sampling Procedures

  The most recently mature leaf should be sampled about 60 days after planting. For next season planning of fertilization needs, an additional sample from most recently matured leaves at harvest may be useful. Concentrations above the sufficient range for nutrients that are immobile in the soil are indicative of high soil fertility. Fertilization with these nutrients in subsequent seasons should be reduced or eliminated.

• Sufficiency Ranges
  
  
  • 60 Days after Seeding
    
    

    Macronutrients
    N	P	K	Ca	Mg	S
    1.8–2.5%	0.2–0.4%	2.0–4.0%	2.0–3.5%	0.2–0.5%

    
    

    Micronutrients
    Fe	Mn	Zn	Cu	B
    30–60 ppm	30–60 ppm	20–60 ppm	4–10 ppm	20–40 ppm

  • Harvest
    
    

    Macronutrients
    N	P	K	Ca	Mg	S
    1.5–2.5%	0.18–0.40%	1.4–4.0%	1.0–1.5%	0.4–0.5%

    
    

    Micronutrients
    Fe	Mn	Zn	Cu	B
    20–30 ppm	30–60 ppm	20–60 ppm	4–10 ppm	20–40 ppm

• DRIS Norms

  DRIS norms have not been established for carrot.

• Remarks

  The literature contains few references, but tabular data agree with the experimental evidence reported in articles listed in the References section. However, some values are lower than those reported by Jones and others (1991). The differences can be attributed to the fact that these values are based upon measurements within experiments, compared to mean values observed with time in the analytical laboratory.

• References

  Burdine HW, Hall CB. 1976. Carrot responses to fertilizer levels on everglades organic soils. Proc Fla State Hort Soc 89:120–5.

  Gupta UC, Cutcliffe JA. 1985. Boron nutrition of carrots and table beets grown in a boron deficient soil. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 16:509–16.

  Hemphill DD Jr, Jackson TL. 1982. Effect of soil acidity and nitrogen on yield and elemental concentration of bush bean, carrot, and lettuce. J Am Soc Hort Sci 107(5):740–4.

  Hipp BW. 1978. Response by carrots to nitrogen and assessment of nitrogen status by plant analysis. HortScience 13(1):43–4.

  Hochmuth GJ, Hanlon EA. 1995. Commercial vegetable crop nutrient requirements in Florida. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Publication SP 177.

  Hochmuth GJ, Maynard D, Vavrina C, Hanlon EA. 1991. Plant tissue analysis and interpretations for vegetable crops in Florida. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Publication SS-VEC-42.

  Jones JB Jr, Wolf B, Mills HA. 1991. Plant analysis handbook: a practical sampling, preparation, analysis, and interpretation guide. Athens (GA): Micro-Macro Publishing. 213 p.

  Umesh CG, Cutcliffe JA. 1985. Boron nutrition of carrots and table beets grown in a boron deficient soil. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 16(5):509–16.

Electronic Document Prepared by:
Catherine Stokes, Communication Specialist
Agronomic Division of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. July 2000.