In this work the effect of levels of earthworm compost was evaluated (0, 15, 20, 25 and 30 t/ha), in the presence and absence of mineral fertilizer, on the production of carrot roots, cv. Brasília Nova Seleção. The experiment was performed in a Red-yellow Latossolo, in the Federal University of Paraíba, in Areia, Brazil, from July to October 1997. The experimental design was randomized blocks with the treatments distributed in a factorial scheme 5 x 2. The total and commercial production of roots were evaluated (Extra A, Extra, Special and First types). The level of 25 t/ha of earthworm compost, was responsible for the maximum total (70.1 t/ha) and commercial (31.1 t/ha) yield and for the lowest non-commercial yield of roots (39.0 t/ha). The total (79.5 t/ha) and commercial (25.5 t/ha) yield of roots in the presence of mineral fertilizer, surpassed 71.7% and 64.7%, respectively, the yield obtained in the absence of mineral fertilizer. The mineral fertilizer provided higher yield of non-commercial roots (54.0 t/ha), surpassing in 75.1% the yield obtained in the absence of mineral fertilizer. Root production of Extra-A and Extra types increased linearly with the applied earthworm compost levels. Increases in the productions of root types Extra-A and Extra were of approximately, 0.6 t/ha and 0.15 t/ha, respectively, for each ton of earthworm compost added to the soil. The presence of the mineral fertilizer increased the production of Extra-A, Extra, Special and First type roots in 4.9; 5.6; 1.7 and 19.4 t/ha, respectively, in comparison to its absence.
Daucus carota L.; organic-mineral fertilizer; yield
