TITLE:
Elevated Root-Zone Temperature Modulates Growth and Quality of Hydroponically Grown Carrots
AUTHORS:
Masaru Sakamoto, Takahiro Suzuki
KEYWORDS:
Carrot, Root-Zone Temperature, Hydroponics, Phenolic Compounds, Drought Stress
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.6 No.8,
August
6,
2015
ABSTRACT: Air and soil temperatures strongly influence the growth and quality of crops. However, in root vegetables, such as carrot, few experiments aimed at regulating growth and quality by manipulating root-zone temperature have been reported. We investigated the effect of root-zone temperatures (20°C, 25°C, 29°C, and 33°C) on carrot growth and components using a hydroponic system. High root-zone temperatures for 14 days reduced shoot and rootgrowth and water content. In contrast, total phenolic compounds and soluble-solid content increased in tap roots under high-temperature treatment. Root oxygen consumption was upregulated after 7 days under high-temperature treatment. These results suggest that high root-zone temperatures induce drought-like stress responses that modulate carrot biomass and components. High root-zone temperature treatments administered to hydroponically grown crops may be a valuable tool for improving and increasing the quality and value of crops.