214 Yield and Quality Response of Carrot (Daucus carota L.) to Simulated Storm Damage

Parts of Colorado receive more hail than almost any other area in the nation. Severe storms can injure crop tissue and, thus, lower yield and predispose the crop to disease infection. Our study was conducted to determine the yield and quality response of carrot ( Daucus carota L.) to simulated storm damage during different periods of plant development. We removed 33% and 67% of the carrot foliage at four dates, spaced 10 days apart, during the middle of the growing season. In 1997 and 1998, 67% defoliation significantly reduced total and marketable yields more than did 33% defoliation. Total yield components, length and diameter, were similarly affected. Defoliation, in general, decreased yield the greatest when it when it occurred at the later stages of development. Carrot foliage continued to develop and grow after all defoliation events. Nonetheless, moderate (33%) and severe (67%) foliage loss reduced marketable yield and yield components of carrots.