vegetable crops 12–

what are root crops?

edible underground storage organs rich in carbs, vitamins, and minerals (stolons + roots)

what is the difference between turnips and swedes?

swedes: tougher, hardier, larger, yellower skin

turnips: smaller, purple skin, smooth

what families are carrots in?

apiaceae or umbelliferae

what are the characteristics or european carrot cultivars?

grown in a temperate climate

• strong biennial characteristics

• more tolerant/acclimated to low temps

• firm, sweet, highly flavoured, yellow-orange to strongly orange

• contain carotene

• slow to bolt

what are the characteristics of asian carrot cultivars?

grown in tropical climates

• softer, less sweet

• adapted to warm temps

• bolt easily

• red to red-orange

• contain anthocyanin

• annuals bolt after minimal cold exposure

what are the types of carrots?

bunched, finger, main crop

what are round type carrots?

stocky square roots, used for early crops or in very heavy soil

what are some round type carrot cultivars?

• early french frame (classic, rough)

• rondo

• early french frame lisa

• kundulus

what are the characteristics of amsterdam type carrots?

small, slender, finger shaped, good for raw use, fast maturation (50–60 days), used for early crops

what are some amsterdam carrot cultivars?

• amsterdam forcing

• amsterdam sweetheart

• souko

what are some characteristics of chantenay carrots?

medium sized, relatively short stocky roots, more conical, have good core and flesh colour, considered tastiest carrots, grow better in heavier soil

what are some characteristics of berliculum carrots?

very large, cylindrical, mature later in year, tend to be high yielding

what are some berliculum carrot varieties?

• berliculum berjo

• camberley

• cardinal f1

what are some characteristics of autumn king carrots?

largest and last to mature, healthy and vigorous, potential to be highest yielding, prone to forking so not suitable for heavy or cold soil

what are some characteristics of imperator carrots?

8–10 inches long, durable and good for long-distance shipping, kind of tasteless

what are some imperator carrot varieties?

• avenger, tendersweet = long tapered roots

• gold pak = coreless, sweet, good for juicing

• orlando gold = long and uniform, 30% more carotene than average

what are the key characteristics to carrot production?

• cool to moderate seasons

• optimum temp: 15–21°C

• propagation: direct seeding

• 75–150 days from planting to harvest

• machine harvested