eChapter Name: Root Crops
9789390512935
eBook Name: PHYTOCHEMICALS IN VEGETABLES AND THEIR THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES
by C.K. Narayana
Carrot, radish, turnip and beet root are major root crops grown in India. In addition, root crops like rutabaga, parsnip, parsley, chervil and celeriac are grown in a limited scale in different parts of the world. There are several other roots and modified underground plant parts that grow in forests and consumed by tribes, but they are not commercially cultivated. Carrot, radish, turnip and beet root are generally consumed as cooked vegetables or fresh salads or as pickled vegetables.
5.1. Carrot
Carrots belong to the Umbelliferae family, named after the umbrella-like f lower clusters that plants in this family produce. As such, carrots are related to parsnips, fennel, parsley, anise, caraway, cumin and dill. Carrot, Daucus carota L. is believed have been primarily originated in Afghanistan, South western Asia and Mediterranean region. Daucus carota ssp. Carota is the most common wild form in Europe and South West Asia, and the present day cultivated carrots have most probably originated from this sub-species.
Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Assam are the major producers of carrot in India.
Cultivars/Varieties: Varieties with long, orange coloured and smooth roots are preferred in India. Both indigenous and exotic varieties having different root length, shape and colour are grown. Temperate or European type varieties are Nantes, Half long, Early Nantes, Chantenay, Chaman, Pusa Yamadagni and Ooty-1, which require low temperature of 4-8°C for flowering. Tropical or Asiatic type varieties do not require low temperature for flowering and can be grown in plains also. The varieties belonging to this group are Pusa Kesar, Pusa Meghali and Hisar Gairic. Some varieties like Gold King, Indian Kuroda and Super Kuroda are also marketed by private seed companies.