The document presents a research proposal on evaluating the cost and effects of various fertilizer applications for carrot production at Valley View University in Techiman, Ghana. The study will apply inorganic fertilizer, organic fertilizer, a mixture of both, and no fertilizer across four treatments in a randomized complete block design. Data on crop yield, costs, and other factors will be collected and analyzed to determine the most effective and cost-efficient fertilizer regime for carrot production. The expected outcome is that inorganic fertilizer will yield more carrots at a lower cost compared to organic fertilizer alone.

1.  VALLEY VIEW UNIVERSITY TACHIMAN-CAMPUS
 RESEACRH PROPOSAL ON: COST AND EFFECTS OF VARIOUS TYPES OF
FERTILIZER APPLICATION IN CARROT PRODUCTION
 A CASE STUDY AT VALLEY VIEW UNIVERSITY TECHIMAN CAMPUS (B/A)
BY
TETTEH CHRISTIAN
ID: 211AB02000018
(DEPARTMENT OF AGRIBUSINESS)
OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION
 INTRODUCTION
 PROBLEM STATEMENT
 BACKGROUND AND JUSTIIFICATION
 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
 LITERATURE REVIEW
 METHODOLOGY
 EXPECTED OUTCOME
 CONCLUSION
CARROTS
INTRODUCTION
 Carrot (daucus carota)
 Genus:Daucus
 Species: D. carota
 Carrot (Daucus carota) belongs to the botanical family Umbelifereae/Apiaceae.
 Carrot is believed to have originated in Afghanistan which remains the centre of diversity of D.
carota.
 Carrots are consumed fresh as a salad crop or cooked.
 They were known to the Greeks and the Romans and their early use was mainly medicinal, to
cure stomach problems, treat wounds, ulcers, liver and kidney ailments.
 It is a cool season crop and is grown all over the world in spring, summer and autumn in
temperate countries and during winter in tropical and subtropical countries.
 Carrots are commonly grouped into two main varieties: Eastern and Western.
 Eastern carrots are the original cultivar and are usually purple or yellow in colour and have
fewer branched roots.

2.  Carrots can be grown most anywhere. The ideal temperature range is 28 C to 38 C. They require
a growing season of 55 to 80 days and need deep, loose, well-drained soils with the ph of 6.0 6.5 www.botany.org
 Carrots are classified into four major types based on root shape and storage capability:
Chantenay
 This type has very strong foliage and its roots are broad in the shoulder, relatively short and
blunt tipped. They have a strong pale-coloured core and stores well.
Nantes
 The root is moderately long with a uniform diameter along the length and a rounded tip when
mature. The surface is thinner and easier to scar. The highly pigmented core
Danvers
 The Danvers type has strong foliage with roots that are moderately wide in the shoulder, pointed
and longer than Chantenay types. This type stores well and is used in processing and fresh
market.
Imperator
 The roots are long and slender, tapering to a pointed tip. It has good storage quality and is used
for the fresh market.
INTRODUCTION
 Carrots contain plant pigments called carotenoids, of which beta carotene is a member. These
pigments were first identified in carrots (giving them their orange colour) and their name was
thus derived from the word carrot.
www.caes.uga.edu/publications/pubDetail.cfm?pk_id=7429
INTRODUCTION
Reasons to Eat Carrots
 A ½ cup of fresh or cooked carrots is:
 An excellent source of vitamin A, providing more than 200% of the recommended Daily Value.
 Vitamin A is required for the proper development and functioning of our eyes, skin, and many
other parts of our bodies.
 A good source of vitamin K.
 A source of vitamin C, fibre, and potassium.
www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/
PROBLEM STATEMENT
 Carrot has the ability to contribute to the alleviation of food security in Ghana and contribute to
the NGDP.
 In Ghana, it is noted that poor soil conditions and poor soil amendments have reduced the
production of carrot and results in the increment of prices to the extent that many consumers
have reduced their consumption.

3.  On the international market consumers are drifting from conventional or inorganic foodstuff to
organically produce one’s
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/company/pr_10-21-04.html
BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
 From the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) Techiman, farmers in the district use
chemical fertilizer in the production of carrot.
 From the farmers, the purpose of applying these chemical fertilizers such as NPK is to improve
the soil since it is not virgin soil, increased the root size as well as increase yield of the carrot
production.
 On the international market consumers are drifting from conventional or inorganic foodstuff to
organically produce ones due to health implications and other issues like going natural or
chemical free.
 http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/company/pr_10-21-04.html
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
 The general objective is to evaluate the performance of the various fertilizer regimes on carrot
production
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
 To improve upon the soil conditions of carrot production
 To increase carrot production using the right fertilizer regime
 To access the cost and benefit on the right fertilizer regime on carrot production.
LITERATURE REVIEW
 Carrot is one of the major vegetable crops cultivated worldwide (Rubatzkyet al.1999). The
domesticated types are divided into two groups:
 The Eastern or Asian carrot (var. atrorubensAlef.), with mainly purple and yellow roots; and
 The Western carrots [var. sativus(Hoffm.) Arcangeli] with mainly orange roots.
 From the first cultivated purple or violet carrots, the yellow and orange types were derived from
this anthocyanin type by selection process (Banga 1984).
 Traditionally, purple carrots are still grown in some oriental countries such as Turkey,
Afghanistan, Egypt, Pakistan, India and the Far East. Nowadays, purple and yellow – colored
cultivars appeared in the European market and in fact they are bred from Asian lines (Simon
2000; Rubatzkyet al. 1999).
 Consumers’ choice to eat carrots is often based on perceptions of carrots quality that include
nutritional factors (Rubatzkyet al. 1999).
 Carrots are increasing consumed due to their quality characteristics such as flavor compounds,
sugars, dry matter (DM) contents and their perceived health benefits related to their vitamins,
minerals, and fiber (Alasalvaret al. 2001; Quilitzschet al.2005).
 Carrot yield and nutritional quality are affected by the types of fertilizer applied. Among the
chemical constituents of the fertilizers, N plays a dominant role in affecting the nutritional
quality (Kansalet al. 1981).

4.  Carrot root yield was improved by hundred percent recommended dose of N, phosphorous (P)
and potassium (K) fertilizers compared to application of organic fertilizer alone or combined
application of mineral and organic fertilizer (Rani and Mallareddy 2007).
LITERATURE REVIEW
 The most commonly used fertilizer levels were N which was ranged between 75 - 150 kg ha, 25
- 125 kg ha of P and 0 - 175 kg ha of K (Rubatzkyet al. 1999).
 Adequate use of mineral fertilizers and organic manures is of great importance for obtaining high
yield and quality of produce in one hand and on the other hand prevention of adverse effects on
soil health and environment (Rani and Mallareddy2007).
 Nitrogen fertilization has received most attention of researchers with regard to carrot quality
(Hochmuthet al. 2006).
 Increased root yield applied by increased N levels were reported (Hochmuthet al. 1999; Hailuet
al.2008).
 However, high N rate up to 336 kg/ha increased the nitrate level above the recommended dose
for baby food(Chessin and Hicks 1987; Cserniet al. 1989).
METHODOLOGY
 For the success of this Carrot project, the following materials shall be needed.
 Land for production
 Carrot seeds (western type)
 Inorganic fertilizer (NPK)
 Organic fertilizer(Poultry dropping)
 Irrigation system
 Weedicides, pesticides and fungicides
 Knapsack sprayer and safety boot
 Hoe, Cutlass and field notebook for records
LAND PREPARATION
 The land will be well tilled and as level as possible in order to obtain a good stand.
 It shall have a good crumbly structure and kept moist enough to allow seed germination.
 Therefore the soil will be deeply ploughed to loosen the soil to a depth of at least 30 cm.
PLANTING
 The soil will treated with nematocides before planting begins.
 The rows are generally spaced from 200 to 400 mm apart.
 The seeds will be directly sown in the field on ridges or raised beds.
 Row planting is preferred to broadcast sowing.

5.  The seeding depth shall be 10 to 25 mm or 40 mm in loose, light sands.
 METHODOLOGY
WEED CONTROL
 The early stage the crop will be kept free from weeds which can be achieved by frequent hoeing.
 Weeds will not at any time be allowed to compete with the crop.
 Weeds will be controlled mechanically, by hand picking or using a hoe.
FERTILIZATION
 The two forms that will be employed to amend the carrot production are:
 Organic fertilizers (POULTRY MANURE)
 Inorganic fertilizers (NPK).
 Fertilizers will be applied two to three weeks after germination.
IRRIGATION
 The field will be irrigated lightly immediately after sowing.
 Irrigation water will be applied once or twice a day using a watering can.
 Watering will gradually be reduced to prevent longitudinal splitting of the roots when the crop
approaches maturity.
HARVESTING
 Carrots require a growing season or period of 55-80days.
 Carrots are harvested when they have reached a diameter of 20 mm and more, still young and
tender.
 Usually when the carrots have reached the mature stage, their base tips appear on the soil
surface.
DATA TO BE COLLECTED
 Date of planting
 Date of germination
 Date of fertilizer application
 Weight of roots
 Date of harvesting
 Cost of fertilizers
 Total cost of production with various fertilizer regime
 Total cost of production

6. METHODOLOGY
The following four treatments shall be used;
 T1 - Inorganic fertilizer
 T2 - Organic fertilizer
 T3 - Organic and Inorganic fertilizer (mixture)
 T4- No fertilizer
 Only one variety will be used:
C1 - The Chanteney (western type)
METHODOLOGY
TREATMENTS
 One varieties (chantenay) will be used with 4 treatments and a single (1) replications under the
Randomized Complete Block Design.
T2C1
T4C1
T2C1
T1C1
T3C1
T3C1
 The treatments will be, T1C1, T2C1,
T3C1 and T4C1
T4C1
T1C1
 THE FIELD LAY OUT UNDER
RANDOMIZED COMPLETE BLOCK
DESIGN
DATA ANALYSIS
The data collected from the various plots will be analyzed using the analysis of variance
(ANOVA)
Source of variation
Degree of freedom (df)
Total
7
Treatment
3
Replication
1
Error
3

7. WORK SCHEDULE
ACTIVITIES
OCT
OB
ER
TI
NOV
ME
EM
RE
ER
QU
IR
DEC
ED
EMB
MO
ER
NTH
JAN
LITERATURE
REVIEW
LAND
PREPARATION
PLANTING
DATA
COLLECTION
CULTURAL
PRACTICES
HARVESTING
DATA
SCREENING
DATA
ANALYSIS
REPORT
WRITING
REPORT
EDITING AND
SUBMISSION
BUDGET
ITERMS
SEED
WEEDICIDE
PESTICIDE
INORGANIC
FERTILIZER
(NPK 20:15:15)
ORGANIC
FERTILIZER
(Poultry dropping)
UNIT
2
1
1
1
PRICE GH₵
12
30
13
50
COST GH₵
24
30
13
50
NUA
RY
FE
B
MA
R

8. SPRAYING
MACHINE
LAND
PREPARATION
PLOUGHING
HARROWING
TOTAL
1
25
25
1 acre
1 acre
45
45
45
729
EXPECTED OUTCOME
 It is expected that, carrots that would be grown under the treatment of inorganic fertilizer will be
less costive and yield more than the one treatetd with organic fertilizer since the nutrients will be
more readily available and adequate for the carrot growth and yield
CONCLUSION
 The expected results from the project is foreseen to help improve the production of carrot in
Techiman municipal and Ghana.
REFERENCES
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrot
 http://www.browfarm.co.uk/carrots_about.htm
 http://www.gov.ab.ca
 Joubert, T.G, Boelema, B.H., Daiber, C.C. &Hattingh, I.D. 1980. The production of carrots in
South Africa.Root Crops A.2/1980. Farming in South Africa.
 www.caes.uga.edu/publications/pubDetail.cfm?pk_id=7429
 http://www.botany.org
 http://environmentalhorticulture.umd.edu
 Kochlar, S.L. 1986. Tropical Crops: a Textbook of Economic Botany. Macmillan Publishers.
 Kotecha, P.M., Desai, B.B. &Madhavi, D.L. 1998. Carrot. Pages 119 – 139. In Handbook of
Vegetable Science and Technology: Production, Composition, Storage and Processing.
 Salunkhe, D.K. &Kadam, S.S. (Eds). Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York.
 http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitamnA/
 http://jn.nutrition.org/
 http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamina.asp
 Whole Foods Market. 2004. “Organic Foods Continue to Grow in Popularity According to
Whole Foods Market Survey.” Press release, October 2004, accessed September 10 2013 at
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/company/pr_10-21-04.html