2. TAXONOMY OF
CARROT
• Daucus carota
• Subsp Sativus
• Family Apiaceae
• Common Name: bird's nest, wild carrot, Queen
Anne's lace
• Other common names: taublasdanghas , mrkev
obecná setá , have-gulerod , ruokaporkkana , carotte
domestique , karotte , kāloke , wortel , medalayun ,
cenoura , zanahoria , äkta morot
• Carrots originated in modern-day Iran and
Afghanistan
3. HISTORY AND
DISTRIBUTION
• It is probably a native of Europe and British Isles
• The carrot was first domesticated in Persia in the 10th
century and was purple or white, rather than orange
• Persia, lying along the ancient Silk Road trade route,
was the ideal way for carrots to make their way both
east and west
• Eventually, there were carrots in the Mediterranean
region and Western Europe by the 11th century and in
India, China, and Japan by the 14th century
• The Dutch get credit for refining carrot cultivars that
form the foundation of our current carrots
• The word “carrot” first entered the English vocabulary in
the 1500s; the English borrowed the word from the
French, who got it from the Romans, who borrowed it
from the Greeks
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under
4. HISTORY AND
DISTRIBUTION
• In Old English, the word for carrot was the same as the word
for parsnip, since both were white at the time
• Orange may be their best-known color, but they also come in
other hues, including purple, yellow, red, and white
• When they were first cultivated, carrots were grown for their
aromatic leaves and seeds rather than their roots
• The plant was introduced into Spain by the Moors in the 8th
century
• In the 10th century, roots from West Asia, India and Europe
were purple
• Cultivated carrots appeared in China in the 12th century and in
Japan in the 16th or 17th century
• European settlers introduced the carrot to colonial America in
the 17th century
5. IMPORTANCE OF
CARROT
• Carrot Nutrition
• 25 calories
• 6 grams of carbohydrates
• 2 grams of fiber
• 3 grams of sugar
• 0.5 grams of protein
• 73% of your daily requirement of vitamin A
• 9% of your daily vitamin K
• 8% of your daily potassium and fiber
• 5% of your daily vitamin C
• 2% OF YOUR DAILY CALCIUM AND IRON
7. HEALTH BENEFITS OF
CARROTS
• They can lower your risk of cancer
• They help your heart
• They boost your immune system
• They can help with constipation
• They can help control diabetes
• They can strengthen your bones
8. ECONOMICAL IMPORTANCE
OF CARROT
• Carrots may serve as raw material in food,
pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry
• Carrots may be cut to pieces, canned or bagged in
sealed nylon bags and sold to large supermarkets where
consumers come and pick up as desired
• Though northern Nigeria is the major player in carrot
farming in Nigeria, with Plateau state being the highest
producers, Vanguard newspapers recently reported that
carrot, along with cucumber and garden eggs, are now
cultivated in large quantities in Enugu and Ebonyi States
in southeast Nigeria
• There are opportunities in the cultivation, sales ,
pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries for carrots
9. ECONOMICAL IMPORTANCE
OF CARROT
• The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
reports that world production of carrots and turnips for 2018
was 40 million tonnes, with 45% of the world total grown
in China
• Carrots are commonly consumed raw or cooked in various
cuisines
• Among all countries, China is considered to be the biggest
producer of carrots in the world, since it produces about 45%
of the world’s total crop
• Uzbekistan and the Russian Federation represent about 9%
of the world's total crop, and the United States, about 3.5 %
• However, many other countries have a big role in the
commercial production of carrots
10. VARIETIES OF
CARROT
• Danvers Carrot
• Chantenay Carrot
• Nantes Carrot, and
• Imperator Carrot
• Most carrot varieties are categorized under these four
main heirloom carrot types
• This includes numerous other heirloom carrot
varieties, giant carrot varieties, and a wide range of
different colored carrot varieties
• There are also fast-growing carrot varieties,
overwintering carrot varieties, and even heat tolerant
types
11. SOME COMMON
VARIETIES
• Nantes is the most common variety in Ethiopia
“Nantaise”
• The root is moderately long with a uniform diameter
along the length and a rounded tip when mature
• The surface is thinner and easier to scar
• Nantes is popular for its high sugar content but is
comparatively low in starch
• Therefore, it does not store well compared to
“Chantenay”
• High demand among farmers for its good adaptation in
highlands and high market demand for its good color,
thick and long roots and sweet taste
13. OTHER COMMON
VARIETIES
• “Chantenay” is more suited to high altitudes
than lowlands and Nantes is more suited to low
altitudes “Chantenay”
• It has very strong foliage and its roots are broad
in the shoulder, relatively short and blunt tipped
• They have a strong pale-colored core and
stores well
• Shorter roots than Nantes, deep orange color
and a sharp tip
• It has long shelf life and is suitable for long
distance transport
14. YIELD
Highlands : 21.7 t/ha Mid-altitudes : 24.1 t/ha Lowlands : 19.7 t/ha
Samson” and “Strong
King” were introduced
from the France and
Denmark, respectively
Both varieties were
verified under multi-
location adaptation trial
• Seeds are produced
in the second year
Some of the seeds are
not true-to-type to the
variety which is sold in
the local market
Seeds that are not true-
to-type yield bolting,
cracking, splitting and
short roots
17. FLOWER CONSISTS
OF
• Flower-Umbel is usually zygomorphic
• A single carrot flower is a few millimeters in diameter and consists of five
sepals, five petals, five stamens and an inferior ovary
• Flower development begins when the flat meristem changes from
producing leaves to an uplifted, conical meristem capable of producing
stem elongation and a cluster of flowers
• The cluster is a compound umbel, and each umbel contains several
smaller umbels
• The first umbel occurs at the end of the main floral stem; smaller
secondary umbels grow from the main branch, and this further branch
into third, fourth, and even later-flowering umbels
• A large, primary umbel can contain up to 50 umbellets, each of which
may have as many as 50 flowers; subsequent umbels have fewer
flowers
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under
18. FLOWER CONSISTS
OF
• The stamens usually split and fall off before the stigma becomes receptive to
receive pollen
• A nectar-containing disc is present on the upper surface of the carpels
• Flowers pentamerous and epigynous
• Carrot flowers are perfect with small petals, usually white or yellowish in colour,
calyx is entire
• They consist of five petals and five stamens
• Inflorescence– A simple umbel or compound umbel
• Carrot bear compound umbel
• It is the king umbel or umbel of the 1
st order or primary umbel, produced in
main stem that flowers first
• The umbels terminating the branches are known as secondary umbels or umbels
of the second order
• In succession, 3 rd or 4 th order umbel may develop in the same fashion
19. FLOWER CONSISTS
OF
• Calyx-Sepal 5, polysepalous, aestivation valvate or
imbricate
• Corolla– Petal five, polypetalous, two small petals
and are bifid which are posterior in position
• Androecium– Stamens five, free, anthers dithecous,
introse
• Ovary is inferior consists of two locules, each with a
single ovule
• On the upper surface of the ovary, there is swollen
nectar which supports the style and stigma
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under
21. FRUIT
MORPHOLOGY
OF CARROT
• Carrots are a root vegetable, so they do not produce fruit.
Instead, they produce an edible taproot that is elongated,
cone-shaped, and typically orange in color.
• The fruit that develops is a schizocarp consisting of
two mericarps; each mericarp is a true seed.
• The paired mericarps are easily separated when they are
dry.
• Premature separation (shattering) before harvest is
undesirable because it can result in seed loss.
• Mature seeds are flattened on the commissural side that
faced the septum of the ovary. The flattened side has five
longitudinal ribs.
22. FRUIT
MORPHOLOGY
OF CARROT
• The bristly hairs that protrude from some ribs are
usually removed by abrasion during milling and
cleaning. Seeds also contain oil ducts and canals.
Seeds vary somewhat in size, ranging from less
than 500 to more than 1000 seeds per gram.
• The taproot is the part of the plant that is
harvested and eaten. It is covered in a thin,
brownish skin and has a firm, crunchy texture.
• The flesh of the carrot is typically bright orange,
although some varieties may be yellow, white,
purple, or red. Inside the carrot, there is a central
core that is lighter in color and slightly tougher
in texture than the rest of the flesh.
23. FRUIT
MORPHOLOGY
• Overall, the morphology of
a carrot is designed for
storage and nutrition, with
the taproot serving as a
source of energy and
nutrients for the plant.
24. LONGITUDINAL CUT
• A longitudinal cut of a carrot reveals its internal structure.
• The carrot is a taproot vegetable and is typically orange in color.
• It has a hard, outer layer called the epidermis, which protects the
softer, inner tissue. The inner tissue is made up of parenchyma
cells, which store nutrients and water for the plant.
• The carrot also contains xylem and phloem, which are part of the
plant’s vascular system. The xylem transports water and nutrients
from the roots to the rest of the plant, while the phloem transports
sugars and other organic compounds from the leaves to the rest of
the plant.
• In addition to its nutritional value, the carrot has been used for
medicinal purposes for centuries. It is high in antioxidants and has
been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
• Overall, the longitudinal cut of a carrot provides insight into the
complex structure and function of this common vegetable.
25. TRANSVERSAL
CUT
• A transversal cut of a carrot is a cross-sectional
view. This means that a carrot is cut horizontally,
perpendicular to its length, resulting in a circular
shape with concentric rings.
• This type of cut provides insight into the inner
structure of the carrot, showing the distribution
of the root vegetable’s fibers, phloem, and
xylem.
• Additionally, a transversal cut can reveal any
internal damage, such as insect holes or fungal
rot.
26. TUBER OF
CARROT
• The tuber of carrot is a common
misconception.
• Carrots actually do not produce tubers, but
they do produce taproots that can store
food and water for the plant to use.
• The taproot of a carrot is the part that is
usually consumed and is often referred to
as the “carrot.”
27. • Roots
Plant carrots have fibrous root system and riding. In the taproot
growth will change the shape and function of the storage of food
reserves. Root form will turn into a big elongated and round, until it
reaches a diameter of 6 cm and a length of up to 30 cm, depending on
varieties. Taproot that has changed form and function is often called or
known as “Carrot Root”.
• Bulbs
Carrot is a tuber vegetable crop season, shaped shrub that can be
grown throughout the year, both in the wet and dry seasons. The trunk
is short and stable roots whose function turns round and elongated.
Color reddish yellow bulbs, have a very high carotene, carrots Bulbs
also contain B vitamins, vitamin C and minerals.
• Leaf
• Carrot leaves are compound pinnate double two or three; children are
lancet –shaped leaves (lines). Each plant has a size 5-7 petiole rather
long. Petiole stiff and thick with a smooth surface, while the leaf blade
limp and thin. The leaves are compound, deeply cut with a lacy
appearance and form from the base of the one to two foot tall plant.
29. OPTIMAL ECOLOGICAL
REQUIREMENT
• Altitude 1,800 – 2,500 meter above sea
level
• Rainfall 500 mm
• Growing Temperature 15 – 200C
• Soils:-Deep, loose, well-drained sandy to
loamy soils,
• pH range 6.0 – 6.5
30. OPTIMAL
ECOLOGICAL
REQUIREMENT
Altitude: Tropical highland
climate is suitable for carrots
production. The adaptable
altitude is depends on the
variety. Ethiopia has high quality
carrots production area in 1800-
2,500m.
Rainfall: Carrot requires well-
distributed rainfall of around 500
mm during the growing period.
Temperature: The optimum
temperature for growth is 15-20
0C.
Temperatures below 10℃cause
longer, more slender and paler
roots. Shorter, thicker roots are
produced at higher
temperatures. Temperatures
exceeding 20℃ lead to poor
quality.
Temperature and soil moisture
influence the shape, colour and
quality of carrots. The
temperature below or above the
optimum, poorer colour
develops.
Soil: Carrots require deep,
loose, well-drained sandy to
loamy soils with a pH of 6.0-6.5.
31. REQUIREMENT
The crop produced in
humus rich soil tends to
increase in foliage
excessively and forms
forked and hairy carrots.
The soil moisture should be
maintained at above 50% of
available moisture
throughout growth
Generally 25 mm of water
per week should be
adequate
Under dry conditions long,
thin roots are produced,
while excess moisture will
result in a light color and
larger diameter but
excessively short roots
Carrots can be grown
throughout the year if rain
and irrigation water is
available.
32. REQUIREMENT.......
• Insufficient soil moisture results in a
longer and thinner root, while very wet
conditions have the opposite effect and
also give rise to a lighter colour.
• The field should be irrigated lightly
immediately after sowing
• Irrigation water should be applied once or
twice a day until germinate.
• Watering should gradually be reduced to
prevent longitudinal splitting of the roots
when the crop approaches maturity
• Water stress during root development
also causes cracking of the roots
34. PHOTOPERIOD
• Chilling treatments (11-12 weeks at 5°C) applied to carrot plants,
carrot variety Chantenay Red Cored, maintained in either darkness or
photoperiods shorter than 12 h, resulted in faster and more prolific
flowering than chilling under longer photoperiods.
• At the end of chilling, leaf area, fresh and dry weights were greatest
in those plants that had received long photoperiods. Chilled plants
returned to long (16 h) photoperiods in a warm glasshouse (min.
temp. 16°C) flowered, whereas those returned to short (8 h)
photoperiods in a similar glasshouse remained vegetative.
• The effect of temperature on flower stalk development, flowering
habit and sex expression in the carrot cultivar Amsterdam Forcing
has been studied at 26°, 20° and 14°C.
35. PHOTOPERIOD
At the higher temperatures the growth
rate of the vegetative frame of the
plants was higher, but the ultimate
size which they reached was smaller.
Flowering was earlier at the higher
temperatures.
The number of umbels produced was
greater at the higher temperatures,
but their quality, as expressed in
number of umbellets per umbel and
number of flowers per umbellet, was
better at the lower temperatures.
At 14°C the ratio of hermaphroditic to
male flowers was a little more in
favour of the hermaphroditic flowers
than at the higher temperatures; in
the 3rd (or) 4th order umbels it was
less so than in the earlier or later
order umbels; in the 1stposition
umbels it was more so than in the
umbels of all later positions.
While fertility of the male flowers was
distinctly lowered by high
temperatures, that of the
hermaphroditic flowers was not
significantly affected.
37. LAND PREPARATION
• Land Preparation Practices:
• Best grown in deep well-drained and sandy loam soils.
• Heavy clay, compacted and water-logged soils will not give the best shape and carrot sizes
• Carrots need finely prepared soil to suit the germination of their small seeds, thus farmers need to
plough and prepare land for carrots 5 to 6 times before planting
• Rake the soil surface to a fine-tilth seedbed before sowing the small carrot seeds
• Deep ploughing or working to loosen the soil to a depth of at least 30 cm is important to allow good root
development
• Stony soils cause misshapen roots and produce poor quality carrots
• Carrots are often planted on top of ridges or raised beds.
• This is especially important on heavier soils, shallow soils or these less well-drained, as it gives added
soil depth, better drainage and the looser structured soils favored by the carrots
38. • Incorporation of Crop Residues
• Incorporating crop residues in the farm land can significantly increase the soil organic content
• It is recommended to incorporate crop residue as early as possible after finishing previous
cultivation
• Optimum pH range 6.5 to 7.5; hence lime should be applied at least 30 days before planting, if
the pH is less than 6.5
• Basal Application
• The use of compost or organic manures is not recommended, as they often cause unattractive,
hairy roots, with a coarser texture as well as decrease marketable yield
• Organic manures or compost should preferably be used on preceding crops in the rotation.
• Appropriate seeding rate:
• Dense plantings could be thinned out, but this is costly, time-consuming, therefore following
appropriate seed rate is necessary
39. SPACING
• The seed should be covered to a uniform depth of 1.0 to 2.5 cm, and should be kept moist
until the plants are well established
• Row planting: Rows are generally spaced from 20-40cm
• Double or triple rows: the width between sets of rows varies from 40 to 60cm
• A mistake that is generally made by new growers is to plant too densely
• For the first time of planting, count the number of seeds between 30 to 35 plants per meter
of row to achieve uniform space
• Mixing seed with sand in a ratio of 1:5 helps achieve even distribution. After germination
thin the plants to achieve 2.5cm between the plants
40. • Carrots were grown in deep, well drained sandy loam, alluvial soils with pH of 5.7 to 7.
• Verti soils however were found to be not suitable. They limited root growth, posed difficulty during
harvesting and washing of roots after harvest. Seed-root-seed method was used for seed production where
roots for seed were produced in the same manner as for fresh market.
• The roots (stecklings) were stored until planting and planted on well drained soils to avoid the development
of bacterial soft rot when there was no danger of frost.
• The soil was well firmed around the roots and the crown was level with the surface.
• Roots grown for seed were planted 75 cm apart. The plants were fertilized with 175 kg/ha of DAP, which
was the recommended rate for root production for fresh market.
• A wild relative of carrot (Queen Anne’s lace, Daucus carota) which easily cross-pollinates with carrots was
found growing in the highlands of Ankober and can affect the quality of seeds and the resulting roots. Thus
the surroundings of seed production fields should be free of Queen Anne’s lace within an 800 m radius.
• Planting depth: - Carrots dislike transplanting, so sow the seeds outdoors, about 1/8-inch deep, in rows
spaced 15 inches apart.
41. PLANTING MATERIAL AND SEEDING
RATE
• Seed with the right root size and shape to suit your soil.
• If your soil is heavy or rocky, grow short rooted carrot varieties.
• Other supplies you may need include: compost, sand, rake, organic mulch, deep containers and
a garden trowel.
• Propagate by seed
• Germination temperature: 50 F to 85 F - Will germinate at temperatures as low a 40 F. Will germinate
in about a week at 75 F, with adequate moisture.
• Days to emergence: 7 to 21
• Seed can be saved 3 years.
• Maintenance and care:
• Plant in spring, 2 to 3 weeks before last frost, ½ inch deep, ½ inch apart, in rows 12 to 24 inches apart.
42. CONT..........
Deeply worked soil with fine, weed-free
seedbed will greatly improve chances
of successful crop.
Carrots are slow to germinate (1 to 3
weeks), and often germinate unevenly
over a period of several weeks. To
speed germination, water lightly daily if
soil is dry.
About 3 Kg of carrot seed are required
per hectare if spaced every 5cm in
rows 15 cm apart.
43. TILLAGE AND PLANTING
OF CARROT
• Fields are placed according to isolation distances
established for each type of carrot
• Carrots grow well on most soils, but the best growth
occurs on deep, friable soils such as sandy loams
• Carrots tolerate a wide range of soil ph. Because
seedling establishment is a problem in carrot seed
production due to the seed's small size and slow
germination rate, particular attention is given to tillage
operations prior to planting
• The seedbed must be clean of weeds, well pulverized,
and compact to ensure ready flow of soil water to the
seed and yet minimize puddling or crusting after a heavy
rain
44. PLANTING
• If planting is done for the seed-to-seed method, row
spacings of 50-90 cm are used and 2-3 kg of seed planted
1ha
• Higher plant densities are desired in carrot seed production
• Carrots need a low temperature to allow their roots to grow;
the high temperature gives bad roots
• Carrots cultivation starts in mid-August till the end of
February, except for some varieties of carrots that extend to
the end of September
• The carrots need a mild climate for a period of 3 to 4
months to grow; in a cold climate, it needs more than four
months
• The crop will be ready for harvest when the root diameter in
shoulders reaches from 2 to 3 centimeters
45. APPROPRIATE TIME
• At Horeta research, seeds sown in March and April produced a high root yield (21.4 to 37.8 t/ha)
but seeds sown in October and November gave a low yield due to frost attack .
• Seeding rate: 4-5 kg/ha
• Carrots need a low temperature to allow their roots to grow; thehigh temperature gives bad roots.
• Thus the best temperature to have a good and balanced color of roots, and a good number of
fibers, taste, and value in general, is between 15 and 21 degrees and can go down till 10° or go
high till 27°, but the higher or lower temperature; gives a bad quality of roots.
• The crop will be ready for harvest when the root diameter in shoulders reaches from 2 to 3
centimeters.
46. FERTILIZATION
• Because of the wide range of soil types in
which carrots grow, a soil analysis
provides the best recommendation for
fertilizer requirements
• Less nitrogen is needed on muck soils
compared to mineral soils
• The fertilizers are best applied in a band
and to the side of the seed at planting
47. IRRIGATION
• All carrot seed production is irrigated
• Carrots require an abundant and well distributed
water supply for optimum growth
• The primary approach is to use rill irrigation
• The water table should be kept at 76-91 cm below the
soil surface
• Sprinkler irrigation is most effective during the early
stages of germination and emergence when the water
supply does not have to be extensive
• With later vegetative growth, sprinkler irrigation should
be discontinued because of the threat of foliar
diseases encouraged by the wet leaves
48. HARVESTING
• For hybrid seed production, the male rows are
removed and turned into the soil prior to swathing
• Harvesting of the seed crop is done by machine
• This is initiated when the earliest maturing seed on
the primary umbel turns brown and the umbel is
brittle
• Because of the uneven maturity of the seeds on the
umbels and the tendency for shattering, umbels can
be sprayed with a polyvinyl acetate adhesive to
reduce seed loss
• This process, however, is not done in large-scale
seed production
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under
49. HARVESTING
• The fields are swathed by machines in windows
• Harvesting is done from 90-120 days after sowing depending on the
agroecology (temperature) of the growing area
• Carrots lifted from wet soils tend to crack and are more susceptible to
damage
• Therefore, the soil should be allowed to dry out to some extent before
harvesting
• In dry periods, it is better to use hand tools
• After harvesting, topped, washed and packed
• Remove the leaves before storing, to extend shelf life
• Fresh carrots, harvested when mature, will keep for up to five days at
room temperature (20℃), and for 7-21 days in a refrigerator
50. STORAGE
• Carrots can be stored for several months in the refrigerator or over winter in a
dry but humid, cool place.
• For long term storage, unwashed carrots can be placed in a bucket between
dry layers of sand, a 50/50 mix of sand and wood shavings, or in soil.
• A temperature range of 0 to 4 °C (32 to 40 °F) and 90-95% humidity is best.
• During storage, carrots may be subject to the development of bitterness,
white blush, and browning, leading to carrot losses.
• Bitterness can be prevented by storage in well-ventilated rooms with
low ethylene content (for example, without ethylene-producing fruit and
vegetables). White blush and browning can be countered with application of
edible films, heat treatment, application of hydrogen sulfide, and ultraviolet
irradiation.
• Carrot seed should not be stored at moisture contents above 7.0%.
• At this moisture content and under appropriate temperature and relative
humidity conditions, the seeds remain viable for 3-5 years.
51. THANK YOU
Prepared by
• Teamireab Desta
• Abreham Mirkena
• Senayit Kibru
• Mihiret Nigussie
• Samirawit Getachew
