Description
Carrot is a biannual plant that during the first phase of Growth develops a rosette of petioled leaves and accumulates its nutrients in its central pivot root, this root is the organ of use of the crop, and usually has various colors of orange tones, red or yellow and usually cylindrical in shape. In its second year and after the vernalization process, the carrot generates a white / yellow flower and fruits in achenes.
In Spain it is dedicated to the crop between 6,500 and 7,500 hectares, of which between 300,000 and 400,000 tons are produced. The main provinces where more carrots are produced are Segovia, Toledo, Valencia and Cádiz.
Soil
It prefers soils rich in organic matter, light textures and without compacting. It is a plant that is moderately tolerant to acid soils (pH between 5.5 and 6.8), which is poorly resistant to excess alkalinity and salinity.
PH
Salinity
Quality
Temperature
Its growth range is between 7 and 29ºC, being its optimum growth between 15-18ºC. Higher temperatures can shorten the length of the roots and cause them to have a less cylindrical shape and a less intense color.
Irrigation
The crop has a greater need for water when the roots are thickening. This happens in the middle of the crop cycle.
Irrigation properties
Varieties
There are many in Spain varieties of carrot, which can be differentiated according to color, shape and especially size. There are long varieties (length 20-25cm) such as Hicolor, Becoro, Flacoro or Kazan; semi-long varieties (15-20cm) such as Primato, Nantesa, Tip-Top and Nasau; semi-short varieties (10-12cm) such as Cascade or Foram and to finish varieties of less than 10cm such as Roja de Nancand or Corta de Guerande.