The impact of soil compaction on the vegetative growth of carrots (Daucus carota, var. Sativas) planted in loosened and unloosened soil in the Eastern Free State

Abstract

This study focuses on trials conducted on plots in the Leratong and Mpho vegetable gardens in the Eastern Free State. The aim was to investigate the possible impact of soil compaction on the growth of carrots planted on loosened (treated) and unloosened (untreated) soil. Aspects such as sprouting, vegetative length after 14 days of sprouting and diameter, as well as the length and mass of carrots after harvesting, were observed and compared between the treated and untreated carrot plots. Although there was no significant (P>0.05) difference between the two soil management practices applied in all locations, as well as the vegetative growth in the locations, a significant (P<0.05) difference between the length of carrots from the treated and the untreated plots was observed.