In 2006–2008 the field experiment was carried out in Warsaw University of Life Sciences to determine the differences in accumulation of some chemical compounds in the storage roots of carrot cultivars of various colour and shape of the root. Carrot cvs.: ‘Perfekcja’, ‘Interceptor’, ‘Vita Longa’, ‘Nebula’, ‘Purple Haze’, 'Deep Purple', ‘Mello Yello’ and 'White Satin' were the objects of the experiment. In intervals of three weeks dry matter, total sugars, total carotenoid and nitrates(V) contents were determined in the roots. Also a relationship between the increase of storage root mass during the plants growth and changes in the content of chemical compounds was investigated. Results showed a significant differentiation between the cultivars in respect of chemical composition of storage roots as well as substantial changes of the composition during the plants growth. The highest sugars, soluble solids and carotenoid contents at the end of vegetation period were found in storage roots of purple-orange coloured cultivar 'Purple Haze'. Strong relationship (determination coefficient R² above 80%) between dry matter, sugars and soluble solids accumulation in the storage roots and storage roots mass increase was established. The relationship for carotenoid and nitrates accumulation was much weaker (below 50%). The relationship between dry matter of the roots and sugars or soluble solids accumulation was also strong.

69-78