Foliar indices for carrot crop using the compositional nutrient diagnosis method

Carrot has a high yield potential, which requires an adequate and adaptable nutritional management, according to the needs and demands of each crop. Foliar diagnosis is a tool for adjustment and constant improvement of crop fertilization programs. This study aimed to determine leaf indices and reference values using the compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND) method, at three phenological stages of carrot crops [40 and 70 days after sowing (DAS) and at harvest]. In order to calculate the CND method, a database was created with leaf contents of the nutrients N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Mn and Zn and root yields, in commercial carrot crops. The nutrient limitation order was generated according to the fertilization response potential. At 70 DAS and at harvest, Mg and Mn were the most limiting nutrients by deficiency, while Zn was the most limiting by excess at 70 DAS, and P and Ca were the most limiting by excess at harvest. The results indicate that the foliar diagnosis performed with the CND method is only effective for the correction of nutritional disturbances in subsequent crops.