Study area
Tsarasaotra and Mangamila
Objectives
To evaluate the effect of irrigation frequency, at a fixed water volume of 5 L/m², on the vegetative growth and yield of carrot cultivated exclusively with compost. Specific objectives: (1) compare the effects of three frequencies (daily, every 2 days, every 3 days) on vegetative development (emergence rate, plant height, leaf count); (2) assess the impact on yield at harvest (root weight, length, and caliber); (3) provide practical technical references applicable by local farmers.
Methodology
CRBD; 3 treatments × 3 replications (blocks) = 9 plots of 10 m² (total area 90 m², 0.5 m alleys).
T0: daily irrigation;
T1: irrigation every 2 days;
T2: irrigation every 3 days. Fixed unit water dose: 5 L/m²/application (calibrated watering can, applied late afternoon). Exclusive fertilization with compost (10 t/ha, 1 kg/m²). Seeding rate: 2 g/m², 1–2 cm depth. Thinning at 10–15 DAS. Monitoring of 12 plants/plot (central row, border rows excluded). Harvest at 90 DAS.
Monitored parameters
Seedling emergence rate (%) at 10–15 DAS.
Weekly: plant height (cm), leaf count.
At harvest (90 DAS): root length, root diameter (caliper, mid-length), fresh root weight, yield (kg/10 m², t/ha), rate of defective roots (forked, cracked, malformed).
Tsarasaotra and Mangamila
Objectives
To evaluate the effect of irrigation frequency, at a fixed water volume of 5 L/m², on the vegetative growth and yield of carrot cultivated exclusively with compost. Specific objectives: (1) compare the effects of three frequencies (daily, every 2 days, every 3 days) on vegetative development (emergence rate, plant height, leaf count); (2) assess the impact on yield at harvest (root weight, length, and caliber); (3) provide practical technical references applicable by local farmers.
Methodology
CRBD; 3 treatments × 3 replications (blocks) = 9 plots of 10 m² (total area 90 m², 0.5 m alleys).
T0: daily irrigation;
T1: irrigation every 2 days;
T2: irrigation every 3 days. Fixed unit water dose: 5 L/m²/application (calibrated watering can, applied late afternoon). Exclusive fertilization with compost (10 t/ha, 1 kg/m²). Seeding rate: 2 g/m², 1–2 cm depth. Thinning at 10–15 DAS. Monitoring of 12 plants/plot (central row, border rows excluded). Harvest at 90 DAS.
Monitored parameters
Seedling emergence rate (%) at 10–15 DAS.
Weekly: plant height (cm), leaf count.
At harvest (90 DAS): root length, root diameter (caliper, mid-length), fresh root weight, yield (kg/10 m², t/ha), rate of defective roots (forked, cracked, malformed).