THE INFLUENCE OF VARIETY AND GROWTH-CONDITIONS ON THE NUTRITIVE-VALUEOF CARROTS

Three carrot varieties were cultivated under different growth conditio ns repeated over 2 years. A total of 35 samples, differing in variety (early, mid and late season type), total nitrogen supply (40-60 kg N p er ha, 90-120 kg N per ha, 180-190 kg N per ha), time of harvest (earl y, mid and late) and cultivation year (1990 and 1991), were evaluated. The nutritive value of each of the 35 carrot samples was determined i n trials with rats. Of the chemical components analysed, protein conte nt exhibited the largest variation (46-101 g kg(-1) DM). The late seas on variety had the highest protein content and the early season variet y the lowest. The protein content increased with nitrogen fertilisatio n. The protein digestibility increased together with the protein conte nt, probably due to a larger proportion of the protein being deposited as storage protein. The protein increment was accompanied by a signif icant drop in essential amino acids (g per 16 g N). The energy content was low (165-173 MJ kg(-1) DM). However, the energy digestibility was high (76.2-88.8%) due to a large proportion of soluble fibre in the d ietary fibre fraction. The content of Cd and Pb was below what is cons idered as acceptable levels.