1. HISTORY AND BACKROUND
The carrot (Daucus carota L.) belongs to the family Apiaceae. It is related to celery, celeriac, coriander, fennel, parsnip and parsley, which are all members of this family. The carrot originated in Asia. Initially the roots were long and thin, and either purple or yellow in colour. The plant is a biennial, i.e. it grows vegetative in the first season and produces seeding the second. For root production the plant is grown as an annual. Low temperatures, as well as various stress factors, will sometimes cause flower production to be initiated, particularly in certain selections of some varieties. Bolting to seed in spring is possible in carrot plantings grown over the winter period.
2. ADAPTABILITY
2.1 CLIMATIC …show more content…
The best quality carrots are obtained when weather conditions favour regular uninterrupted growth. Plant growth is optimal between temperatures of 15° to 20°C, and the roots also develop the best colour and flavour at such temperatures. At temperatures below or above the optimum, poorer colour develops. The roots also tend to be shorter, often with a poor flavour, when high temperatures prevail. 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. Carrots develop a rougher appearance when the temperatures are fairly high in summer and where there are varying soil-moisture conditions. Forked and cracked roots are more common in summer and the central core tends to be …show more content…
Carrots are also very sensitive to soil salinity, and brackish soils should be avoided.
2.3 CROP ROTATION
Rotating crops helps to improve the quality of the soil and keep down soil-borne pests. Carrots make good crop rotation partners for cabbage, lettuce, pumpkin and tomatoes. If rotated with leguminous crops, such as peas and beans, they improve the soil’s nutrient levels.
3. IMPORTANCE AND UTILITY
Carrots are important root crops in commercial and home gardens in South Africa. Carrots (Daucus carota) are members of the Apaceae family and are grown for the edible root, which can be eaten raw or cooked. They are rich in carotene (vitamin A).
3.1 HEALTH BENEFITS OF CARROTS
Improves vision
Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the liver. Vitamin A is transformed in the retina, to rhodopsin, a purple pigment necessary for night vision.
Beta-carotene has also been shown to protect against macular degeneration and senile cataracts. A study found that people who eat large amounts of beta-carotene had a 40 percent lower risk of macular degeneration than those who consumed little.
Helps prevent
The carrot (Daucus carota L.) belongs to the family Apiaceae. It is related to celery, celeriac, coriander, fennel, parsnip and parsley, which are all members of this family. The carrot originated in Asia. Initially the roots were long and thin, and either purple or yellow in colour. The plant is a biennial, i.e. it grows vegetative in the first season and produces seeding the second. For root production the plant is grown as an annual. Low temperatures, as well as various stress factors, will sometimes cause flower production to be initiated, particularly in certain selections of some varieties. Bolting to seed in spring is possible in carrot plantings grown over the winter period.
2. ADAPTABILITY
2.1 CLIMATIC …show more content…
The best quality carrots are obtained when weather conditions favour regular uninterrupted growth. Plant growth is optimal between temperatures of 15° to 20°C, and the roots also develop the best colour and flavour at such temperatures. At temperatures below or above the optimum, poorer colour develops. The roots also tend to be shorter, often with a poor flavour, when high temperatures prevail. 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. Carrots develop a rougher appearance when the temperatures are fairly high in summer and where there are varying soil-moisture conditions. Forked and cracked roots are more common in summer and the central core tends to be …show more content…
Carrots are also very sensitive to soil salinity, and brackish soils should be avoided.
2.3 CROP ROTATION
Rotating crops helps to improve the quality of the soil and keep down soil-borne pests. Carrots make good crop rotation partners for cabbage, lettuce, pumpkin and tomatoes. If rotated with leguminous crops, such as peas and beans, they improve the soil’s nutrient levels.
3. IMPORTANCE AND UTILITY
Carrots are important root crops in commercial and home gardens in South Africa. Carrots (Daucus carota) are members of the Apaceae family and are grown for the edible root, which can be eaten raw or cooked. They are rich in carotene (vitamin A).
3.1 HEALTH BENEFITS OF CARROTS
Improves vision
Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the liver. Vitamin A is transformed in the retina, to rhodopsin, a purple pigment necessary for night vision.
Beta-carotene has also been shown to protect against macular degeneration and senile cataracts. A study found that people who eat large amounts of beta-carotene had a 40 percent lower risk of macular degeneration than those who consumed little.
Helps prevent