TYPES

Paris market (approximately 60 days): Round to "top-shaped" roots averaging 2-3" in diameter. Grown for specialty fresh markets.

Amsterdam forcing (approximately 65 days): Roots are small to medium (ave. 5"), slender cylindrical shape, blunt tipped, small core and smooth skinned. Foliage and crown are small. Grown for bunching and as a quick maturing crop for market or cello-packing. Also used for freezing and canning especially for "baby carrot" packs where whole-root baby carrots are required. Most baby carrots are "cut and peel" (see below).

Nantes (approximately 70-100 days): Roots are medium in size (ave. 6"), cylindrical, generally with a slight shoulder, blunt tipped but sometimes tending to taper. Intermediate in foliage and crown size. Quality is between Amsterdam forcing and Berlicum. Because of its high sugar content and tenderness, some varieties of this type have a tendency to split under late season western Oregon conditions. Grown for cello-packing, bunching and processing.

Imperator (approximately 100-120 days): Very long (ave. 9-10"), tapered, slender roots, small core, excellent color, smooth skinned. Foliage is intermediate with a small crown. Grown for market, often bunched, and sometimes for processing, primarily for sliced packs.

Berlicum (approximately 100 days): Roots are large (ave. 8-9"), cylindrical or only slightly tapering, resembling a large Nantes. Grown mainly for processing.

Danvers (approximately 80-120 days): Roots average 7", intermediate between conical and cylindrical. Upper portion of the root is tapered toward the crown. Pointed or somewhat stumped root tip. Matures about the same time as the Chantenay group.

Chantenay (approximately 80-180 days): Roots are medium size (ave. 5"), conical stump -rooted. Generally good core and flesh color. Moderate skin texture. Usually shorter than Nantes but foliage size is between Berlicum and Autumn King. Used widely for canning, freezing and dehydrating. Processed where a multipurpose carrot is needed for slicing and dicing. Not generally used for fresh market.

Kuroda (approximately 110 days): Also referred to as "Asian carrot". Generally thick-shouldered, short to medium length, tapered but with blunt tip, light orange to well-colored, mild flavor but a considerable range of flavor, shape, color and uniformity is common.

Autumn King (approximately 100 days): Roots are very large (ave. 10-12"), tapering, usually with broad shoulders. Core and flesh color are generally inferior. Skin texture is rough. Late ripening and heavy yielding. Foliage and crowns are large and vigorous. Strong flavored. Grown mainly for certain fresh markets.

High Vitamin A: Have 2-4 times higher beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A, than standard carrots.

Other "Nutritionally Enhanced or "Unusually Pigmented": High levels of xanthophyll, anthocyanin, lycopene, and other antioxidant pigments.

Baby carrot: These are primarily "manufactured" (cut and peeled) from undersized carrots, or pieces of carrots intended for other packs. Because of the large demand for this product, growers are planting high density carrots for this purpose also. True whole "baby" carrots are more costly and difficult to produce, harvest, and handle, however. See also section on "baby-whole carrots" below.

VARIETIES FOR PROCESSING

A recent survey of the carrot industry in the Columbia Basin area of Washington indicated a wide range of carrot varieties being used. Varieties used by growers who grew for the fresh market and also slicing carrots for processing included: Apache, Caro-Best, Caropak, Gold Pride, Legend, Plato, and Orlando Gold. Baby carrot producers use varieties such as Caropak, Primecut 59, and Sugarsnax 54.

Processors specify varieties. Some that have been grown are:

Baby whole - Amsterdam types: Amca, Amstel, Colora, Caropak, Indu, Minicore, Verona. For trial: Babette.

Baby cut (manufactured from Imperator types) - Caropak, Gold Pride, HM 4302, HM 4303, Primecut 59, and Sugarsnax 54. For trial: Candy Stick, HMX 6320, Morecuts, SCR 7248, Tripleplay 58.

Cut and Peel: For trial: The summer 1999 issue of Carrot Country magazine features new varieties developed by a specialty carrot seed company, Polonica Seed. They have released 'Grower's Choice', described as the top-ranked variety in the USDA 1994-95 trials in California. Also KXPC-054 ('Morecuts') and KXPC-055 ('Sweetcuts'), both ranked in the top five carrot types in the USDA trials the last two years, as well as the top spots in 1966. Also KXPC-060, winner of the 1998 USDA Wisconsin muck soil trials for cut and peel carrots.

Slicing - Apache, Caropak, Favor, Gold Pride, Nevis, Orlando Gold, Pak Mor, Pioneer, Plato, Primecut 59, Six-Pak, Sugarsnax 54, Tripleplay 58. For trial: Bolero, CXC 2670, Merida, Mokum, Parano, Stylus, Touchon.

Dicing - Carson, Cascade, Danvers 126, Early Gold, Red Cored Chantenay, Royal Chantenay, and the hybrid Spartan Bonus 80. For trial: Cascade, Carson, Chantenay Supreme F1 (dicer, combines Chantenay and Danvers qualities), Cumberland, Eclipse, Sytan (see note below).

Multipurpose - Danvers 126, Gold King, Royal Chantenay, and the hybrids Chantenay Supreme, and Spartan Bonus 80. For trial: Cheyenne, Enterprise, Indiana, Newport, Pacific Gold, Presto, and Vita Sweet 691, 711, and 781.

VARIETIES FOR FRESH MARKET

Bunching - Nantes types: Bolero, Favor, Gold Pride, Ingot, Merida, Parano, Pioneer, Primo F1, Napa, Nevis, Royal Nantes, Scarlet Nantes, Tip Top. For trial: Cheyenne, Enterprise, Indiana, Newport, Newton, Pacific Gold, Presto, Vita Sweet 691, 711, and 781.
Imperator types: Apollo, Discovery, Flare, Imperator 58, Neptune.

Cello-pack: Apache, Bolero, Caropak (also popular for "baby" carrots), Choctaw, Favor, Gold Pride, Napa, Nevis, Orlando Gold, Pak Mor, SixPak II. For trial: Ivanhoe, Merida, Newton, Parano.

High Vitamin A): A-Plus; BetaIII (an Imperator type with 2-4 times higher beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A); HCM; Ingot (long Nantes type, also with high beta-carotene, suggested for bunching); Progenitor.

Other Nutritionally Enhanced and Unusually Pigmented: For trial: Beta Sweet (purple-orange), Dragon (purple), Lobbericher (yellow), Lubianna (yellow), Nutri-Red (red), Sweet Sunshine (yellow), Yellowstone (yellow).

Baby carrot: Cello bags of fresh baby carrots are now very popular. These are primarily "manufactured" (cut and peeled) from undersized or pieces of carrots intended for other packs. However, because of the large demand for this product, growers are also planting high density carrots for this purpose. True whole "baby" carrots are more costly and difficult to produce, harvest and handle. See varieties of Baby Whole Carrots, above. More information on baby carrots and cello-pack carrots can be found in Carrot Country Magazine, Fall, 1999.

Novelty: Thumbelina, Orbit (round "Parisian market" types).

Washington State University research reports are available for annual trials conducted in the Columbia Basin Production area. For a complete copy of the research results contact:
Dr. Erik Sorensen
WSU Cooperative Extension, Franklin Co.
Courthouse
Pasco, WA 99301.

Note: Research reported in England indicates that the Nantes type variety Tip Top (Breeders Seed Ltd.) and the Danvers type variety Sytan (Clause Ltd.) showed resistance to carrot rust fly.

SOILS

Deep well drained, sandy loam or much soils of pH 5.5 (6.5 in eastern Oregon) to 7.0 are desirable. A chisel plow is recommended to work these soils to a depth of 12 to 15 inches for good root penetration. Soils may be bedded to obtain optimum drainage and maximum root length and smoothness. The sandy soils in the Hermiston area and Columbia Basin, combined with their long growing season, and a harvest period relatively free from rain, are particularly suited to high carrot yields and quality.

SEED TREATMENT

Use high quality size-graded and fungicide-treated seed for optimum uniformity and performance. Pelletized carrot seed is commonly used with precision spacing, and has been found to be useful in improving size uniformity. A number of pelletizing materials are available, differing in weight, cost and response to soil moisture. Primed and coated seed is also becoming popular. Consult your seed dealer about the availability of primed seed.

ROW COVERS

For premium fresh market carrots, research in England and at OSU has shown that fresh market carrots respond favorably to the use of floating row covers. These covers are available in widths of up to 40 feet, and lengths suitable for most fields, allowing the covering of about 1 acre per roll. The use of these field covers immediately after seeding greatly reduces crusting and maximizes stand establishment. Researchers in England have demonstrated that the covers can be applied immediately after seeding and should be removed at about the 7th true leaf to maximize earliness and yield without generating too much top growth. If covers are used, temperature under the covers should be monitored, and covers removed when temperatures are likely to exceed 85-90 F for several consecutive days.

OSU researchers have demonstrated that herbicides can be applied through the row covers if necessary, and that herbicides applied prior to covering are as effective as if applied without the covers.

SEEDING AND ROW ARRANGEMENT

First fields of processing carrots may be seeded as early as mid-March and the last about the first of July. Carrots for fresh market may be seeded as late as July 20.

Generally 2 to 4 lb seed are needed per acre for fresh market or slicing carrots for processing. For dicing carrots for processing, 1 to 2 lb seed are needed. Carrot seed numbers about 370,000/lb.

Research from Chrisseed in Washington State indicates that carrots grown for the cut-and-peel market should be planted at between 1.5 and 1.75 million seeds/acre. For the cello-pack market, seed rate should be about 1 million/acre. Foliar diseases may be aggravated at the higher plant populations, and care should be exercised in the choice of varieties when planting at these high populations to select those with appropriate disease resistance and top characteristics.

Plant populations per lineal foot of bed containing 2 scatter rows (or 4-6 lines), should be 12-(24) for dicing and 30-(40) for slicing or fresh market carrots.

Ideally, raised beds 4 to 6 inches high, on 40 to 42-inch centers should be used. Two scatter rows, or two multiple-line sets of 2 or 3 lines each, are planted l2 to l4 inches apart per bed (depending on bed width). Seeds are placed 1.3 to 2 inches apart. The lines of each set are spaced 1.5 to 2 inches apart. In some cases, beds 72 inches apart, with 54 inch tops are used. In such configurations, 4 double or triple-line sets are planted across the bed top. When triple line sets are used increase the distance between seeds in the center row. Wide beds can only be used in conjunction with overhead irrigation.

Schematics of planting configurations described above:

_/|||---|||\___/|||---|||\__ 

2 rows of triple-line sets on 

2 beds on 40-inch centers



__/|||--|||--|||--|||\__ 

4 rows of triple-line sets 

on a 70-inch bed

Where overhead irrigation and 40 to 42-inch beds are used, and where modified potato diggers are used for harvest, it may be better to place the line sets closer together and further from the edge of the bed. This would reduce exposure of carrots in the outside lines to sunlight as the edges of the beds erode, and reduce the necessity to cultivate between the sets. The distance between the sets would be limited only by the distance needed between planters as depicted below:

__/-|||-|||-\___/-|||-|||-\__

two rows of triple-line sets on

2 beds on 40 inch centers with

the sets placed closer together

Seeding with a precision seeder is recommended. Vacuum seeders such as Stanhay or Gaspardo are becoming popular. The Stanhay belt planter has a special shoe that plants 3 lines l.5 inches apart with each planter unit. The seed belt is punched to drop 7 to 8 seeds per foot of line in the two outside lines and 5 to 6 seeds per foot in the middle line. The Stanhay vacuum planter also has the capability of planting 3 rows per planter unit. Each vacuum plate meters seed to three separate lines. Lines are generally 1.5 to 2 inches apart and seeds are dropped about 1.5 to 2 inches apart down the line, resulting in 4 to 6 seeds per foot of seed-line for dicers and 6 to 8 plants for slicers. When triple line sets are used increase the distance between seeds in the center row.

For non-bedded plantings use row spacings of l6 to 30 inches apart and in-row stands of 10 to 20 plants per foot for dicing, or 20 to 30 plants per foot of row for slicing (or fresh market) carrots. Use the lower plant populations when planting single rows and the higher populations when planting scatter-rows or multiple sets of rows.

The use of raised beds has been reported to reduce the incidence of cavity spot, a complex disorder recently attributed to Pythium violae and possibly Pythium ultimum. Outbreaks of these fungi are favored by excessive soil moisture and temperatures of 61-72 F. Alfalfa, wheat, cauliflower, broccoli, celery, cucumber, sugarbeet and watermelon also serve as hosts and so should not precede carrot, or be in rotation with it. Long rotations (3-4 years), good water management and prompt harvest are other suggested cultural control measures.

BABY-WHOLE CARROTS

Although most "baby" carrots are manufactured from standard carrots as noted above, whole baby carrots may also be produced. To obtain a uniform size and shape of whole baby carrots, seed should be sown at high density and distributed evenly in wide bands or solid beds. The seed need not be pelleted but should be size-graded by the supplier. Pelleting would be too costly at the plant populations required.

A precision seeder is not necessary for planting this type of carrot. Adequate results have been obtained by planting with a plate seeder at the rate of 80 to 100 seeds per square foot. At these spacings as much as 20 lb seed per acre may be required. Planting multiple, staggered, scatter-rows 4 inches apart results in a "solid" stand when a 4-inch scatter shoe is used. Staggered planters capable of planting multiple lines per unit (such as Beck or Stanhay) might also be used. Thirty or more lines would be needed on a 54 inch wide bed. Beds are generally 72 inches center-to-center.

Schematic of spacing for whole baby carrots as described above:

/||||||||||||\___/||||||||||||\

Lines placed 1.5-2 inches apart on

beds that are 72 inches "on center"

FERTILIZER

A soil test is the most accurate guide to fertilizer requirements.

Good management practices are essential if optimum fertilizer responses are to be realized. These practices include use of recommended varieties, selection of adapted soils, weed control, disease and insect control, good seed bed preparation, proper seeding methods, and timely harvest.

Because of the influence of soil type, climatic conditions, and other cultural practices, crop responses from fertilizer may not always by accurately predicted. Soil test results, field experience, and knowledge of specific crop requirements help determine the nutrients needed and the rate of application.

Fertilizer applications for carrots should insure adequate levels of all nutrients. Optimum fertilization is intended to produce top quality and yield commensurate with maximum returns.

For the early crop, band half the nitrogen and all the phosphate and disk-in the potash. Side dress the balance of the nitrogen after the crop is 6 to 8 inches tall. For the later plantings one may broadcast all the fertilizer before seeding.

Western Oregon

The following recommendations are general guidelines for Western Oregon muck soils:

Nitrogen: 50-100 (N) lb/acre
Phosphate: 100-160 (P205) lb/acre
Potash: 80-150 (K20) lb/acre
Sulfur: 30-50 (S) lb/acre

For the early crop, band half the nitrogen and all the phosphate and disc in the potash. Side dress the balance of the N after the crop is 6 to 8 inches tall. For the later plantings one may broadcast all the fertilizer before seeding.

The following are recommendations for Western Oregon mineral soils:

For carrots, fertilizer materials are usually broadcast and worked into the seed bed ahead of planting.

The suggested fertilizer applications are based on a 24-inch row spacing and 20 to 25 plants per linear foot of row.

Recommended soil sampling procedures should be followed in order to estimate fertilizer needs. The Oregon State University cooperative extension agent in your county can provide you with soil sampling instructions and soil sample bags and information sheets.

Nitrogen (N)

Rates of 75 to 120 lb of N/A are suggested. Broadcast N before planting or part of the N can be applied as an early season top dressing. Excess N can cause splitting.

Phosphorus (P)

Carrots require adequate available P for satisfactory growth. Broadcast P and work into the seed bed before planting.

              If the soil test*          Apply this amount of 

              for P reads (ppm):      of phosphate (P2O5) (lb/A):



                    0 - 20                    120 - 150

                   20 - 50                     90 - 120

                   50 - 75                     60 -  90

                   Over 75                       None

Potassium (K)

For optimum growth carrots require a good supply of available K. Broadcast K and work into the seed bed before planting.

            If the soil test*            Apply this amount of

           for K reads (ppm):           potassium (K2O) (lb/A):



                   0 -  75                    120 - 180  

                  75 - 150                     90 - 120

                 150 - 225                     60 -  90

                  Over 225                       None

Sulfur (S)

Include 15-20 lb S/A in the fertilizer program for carrots. S is sometimes contained in fertilizers used to supply other nutrients such as N, P, and K, but may not be present in sufficient quantity.

Plants absorb S in the form of sulfate. Fertilizer materials supply S in the form of sulfate and elemental S. Elemental S must convert to sulfate in the soil before the S becomes available to plants. The conversion of elemental S to sulfate is usually rapid for fine ground (less than 40 mesh) material in warm moist soil.

Sulfur in the sulfate form can be applied at planting time. Some S fertilizer materials such as elemental and ammonium sulfate have an acidifying effect on soil.

The S requirements of carrots can be provided by:

1. The application of 15-20 lb S/A in the form of sulfate before planting.
2. Applying 30-40 lb S/A as fine ground (finer than 40 mesh) elemental S the preceding year.
3. Applying coarser ground elemental S at higher rates and less frequently.

To date, there have been no observed indications of yield response from applications of Mg to carrots in the Willamette Valley. Trial applications of 10 to 15 lb Mg/A are suggested with soil test values below 1 meq Mg/100g soil.

Magnesium can also be supplied in dolomite which is a liming material and reduces soil acidity to about the same degree as ground limestone. Dolomite should be mixed into the seed bed at least several weeks in advance of seeding and preferably the preceding year.

Boron (B)

Carrots require an adequate supply of B. Apply 2 to 4 lb B/A (broadcast and disk in before planting).Do not exceed the recommended rate of application. Excess B can be toxic to carrots.

Boron should be broadcast uniformly on the soil. Never place boron in a side-band close to the seed at planting.

Other Nutrients

Response of carrots to nutrients other than those discussed in this guide have not been observed in western Oregon.

Lime

At present, lime is not generally recommended for carrots, as carrots in western Oregon are commonly grown on sandy river bottom soils which usually have adequate levels of calcium and magnesium.

A lime application is suggested where the soil pH is below 5.6.

               If the SMP Buffer*           Apply this amount

              test for lime reads:            of lime (T/A):



                    Below 5.2                     4 - 5

                    5.2 - 5.6                     3 - 4

                    5.5 - 5.9                     2 - 3

                    5.9 - 6.2                     1 - 2

                    Over  6.2                       0

Lime should be mixed into the seed bed at least several weeks before seeding and preferably the preceding year. A lime application is effective over several years.

Some soils may have a fairly high SMP buffer value (over 6.2) and a low pH (below 5.3). This condition can be caused by the application of acidifying fertilizer. In this case the low pH value is temporary and the pH of the soil will increase as the fertilizer completes its reaction with the soil. This temporary "active" acidity from fertilizer is encountered following recent applications of most nitrogen fertilizer materials. Acidifying fertilizers also have a long term acidifying effect on soil that is cumulative and leads to lower SMP buffer readings.

Sandy soils to which fertilizers have not been recently applied sometimes record low pH and high SMP buffer values. In such cases, a light application of lime (1 to 2 tons/A) should suffice to neutralize soil acidity.

For acid soils low in Mg (less than 0.5 meq Mg/100g soil) one ton/A of dolomite lime can be used as a Mg source. Dolomite and ground lime stone have about the same ability to neutralize soil acidity.

These recommendations are based on experiments conducted by Horticulture and Crop and Soil Science departments researchers of the OSU Agricultural Experiment Station and Extension Service as quoted form the OSU Fertilizer Guide FG 29.

Eastern Oregon For Eastern Oregon mineral soils, the following are general guidelines:

NPK

Nitrogen: 80-l50 (N) lb/acre
Phosphate: 60-150 (P205) lb/acre
Potassium: 60-180 (K20) lb/acre

See above under Western Oregon for other nutrients.

IRRIGATION

Carrots grown in western Oregon may require 14 to 16 inches of water depending on seasonal variation, variety, and length of season.

Soil type does not affect the amount of total water needed, but does dictate frequency of water application. Lighter soils need more frequent water applications, but less water applied per application.

Carrot Water Use:
The following crop water use and irrigation management information is from the OSU Carrot Irrigation Guide developed by M. Hess, J. Smesrud, and John Selker (Dept. of Bioresource Engineering) and N.S. Mansour:

Total Seasonal Evapotranspiration (inches)    21.7	

Peak Evapotranspiration Rate (inches/day)     0.20	

Maximum Allowable Depletion (percent)	      50	

Critical Moisture Deficit Period:	      seedling emergence, root expansion	

In eastern Oregon, on sandy soils, 20-25 inches of water may be needed. Approximate summer irrigation needs for the Hermiston area have been found to be: 3.5 inches in May, 5.0 in June, 7.5 in July, and 7.0 in August. A total of 20-30 inches of water may be needed depending on planting and harvest dates.

Soil type does not affect the amount of total water needed, but does dictate frequency of water application. Lighter soils need more frequent water applications, but less water applied per application.

Moisture management in carrots is especially important during stand establishment and during root expansion. Since small carrot seeds are unable to emerge when surface crusting occurs and can be burnt off if surface temperatures are too high, irrigation during the pre-emergence period revolves around maintaining a moist, cool, loose soil surface. This often requires frequent, light irrigation. Conversely, deep, excessive irrigation during this period promotes problems with damping off of emerging seedlings. In the remainder of the season, available soil moisture should be depleted by no more than 50 percent. However, maintenance of excessively moist soil may cause anaerobic soil conditions that can kill the root growing point, resulting in misshapen carrots at harvest. As carrot roots develop most of their size in the last half of their growth period, irrigation is especially critical during this time. Water deficit during this period will have the greatest negative impact on yields. A balance must be struck, however, between maintaining adequate moisture while minimizing wetness in the canopy that promotes the common fungal diseases alternaria and cercospora. During the last half of the growing period, irrigate only early in the day to allow for rapid canopy drying whenever possible. Soils should also be allowed to dry to 50 percent of available soil moisture during harvest to prevent excessive cracking and damage to roots during harvest.

On most soils, weekly irrigation during the peak is adequate, however with sandy and sandy loam soils, irrigation may be required as frequently as every three to four days.

The peak water use for carrots is approximately 0.20 and 0.17 inches per day for April and May plantings respectively. On most soils, weekly irrigation during the peak is adequate, however with sandy and sandy loam soils, irrigation may be required as frequently as every three to four days.

References
1. Sanders, D.C. 1993. Vegetable Crop Irrigation, Leaflet No: 33-E (North Carolina State University, Raleigh).

HARVESTING AND HANDLING

The University of California-Davis has a file on Minimal Processing of Fresh Vegetables that discusses film wrapping and other topics.

Early fresh market carrots are harvested from early July to September. Late market carrots are harvested into December. Market carrots must be over 5 inches long and between 3/4 and 1.5 inches in diameter. Carrots harvested and handled in hot weather are more likely to decay, and care should be exercised in handling to prevent wilting.

Processing carrots may be harvested from the first of August to the end of November. The prime harvest period is from the end of August to October 25. For late harvest, carrot fields are limited to well-drained river bottom soils, even so, harvest schedules are often disrupted by the weather. This is the main reason considerable acreage of late carrots has shifted to the lower Columbia Basin sandy soil areas.

Average yields of fresh market and processing carrots combined were reported to be about 500 cwt/acre for 1990, through 1992 in the Pacific Northwest where most of the acreage is for processing. For the same period, California carrot yields (which are mostly for fresh market) averaged about 300 cwt/acre.

Fresh market carrots are washed, sorted, and packed in one or two pound plastic bags packaged 48 1-lb. bags, or 24 2-lb bags per carton; or loose in 50-lb mesh or plastic sacks. Processing carrots may be harvested from the mid July to the end of December.

Generally, custom-built, coulter pick-up, or modified potato harvesters, rather than the belt pick-up Scott-Viner harvesters are used in the harvest of carrots for processing. Scott-Viner types are generally used in harvesting carrots for fresh market or where tops are expected to be suitable. Although carrots can be harvested several ways, single or multiple-row harvesters can be custom built by Krier Engineering, 4774 Morrow Rd., Modesto, CA. Contact Mr. Alex Krier, 800-344-3218, for more information.

Other custom-built carrot harvesters, as featured in the summer,1999 issue of Carrot Country, are available from:

• Amac, Inc., a Dutch company represented by KPR Inc., POB 608, 375 West Ave. D, Wendell, ID 83355-0608, Phone 208-536-6601, FAX 208-536-6695, E-mail info@KprIncorp.com, Internet www.KprIncorp.com
• Asa-Lift, a Danish company represented by Miller Farms, Hancock, WI, Phone 715-249-5160, FAX 715-249-5860, Email MillerFM@uniontel.net
• Everett Bros. Engineering Ltd., a British company. USA Tel/FAX 407-396-7515, Email sales@everettbros.btinternet.com, Internet www.everett-bros-eng.com
• Univerco Hydraulique (1978) Inc., a Canadian company. 713 Rte. 219, Napierville, PQ, J0J 1L0, Canada. Phone 800-663-8423, FAX 514-245-0068.

For budgeting purposes, assumptions for processed carrot yields are reported in the Enterprise Budget section below.

PACKAGING

Fresh market carrots are washed, sorted, and packed in one or two-pound plastic bags packaged 48 1-lb bags, or 24 2-lb bags per carton; or loose in 50-pound mesh or plastic sacks at a packing house.

STORAGE (Quoted or modified from USDA Ag. Handbook 66 and other sources)

Research in Michigan evaluating carrots that have been crowned or not, washed or not and stored in a plastic lined bin or unlined bin found that carrots stored best when untopped, unwashed and stored in plastic lined bins. Ideal storage is at 32 F and 99 % relative humidity. Carrots stored in unlined bins can lose 6% to 10% of their weight. Topping carrots and washing them also increased losses from decay. The worst treatment was topping, washing and storing carrots in unlined bins.

Carrots for processing are not normally stored. When storing, store carrots at 32 F and relative humidity of 98 to 100 %. Carrots for processing may be given a pre-storage dip treatment in a 0.1 % solution of sodium o-phenylphenate (SOPP) to effectively reduce storage decay. The solution is not rinsed off after treatment.

Mature carrots are well adapted for storage and are stored in large quantities during the fall and winter for both the fresh market and processing. Careful handling during and after harvest to avoid bruising, cutting and breakage will help ensure successful storage.

Mature topped carrots can be stored 7 to 9 months at 32 to 34 F with a very high relative humidity, 98 to 100 %. However, even under these optimum conditions 10 to 20 % of the carrots may show some decay after 7 months. Under commonly found commercial conditions (32 to 40 F) with 90 to 95 % relative humidity, 5 to 6 months storage is a more realistic expectation. Prompt cooling to 40 F or below after harvest is essential for extended storage. Poorly precooled roots decay more rapidly.

Carrots lose moisture readily and wilting results. Humidity should be kept high. Carrots stored at 98 to 100 % relative humidity develop less decay, lose less moisture, and remain crisper than those stored at 90 to 95 % relative humidity. A temperature of 31 to 34 F is essential if decay and sprouting are to be minimized. With storage at 40 to 50 F, considerable decay and sprouting may develop within 1 to 3 months.

Pre-storage washing of carrots may be desirable if they are harvested under wet conditions. Many potential decay-causing organisms are removed by washing. Also, clean, washed carrots allow freer air circulation. Air circulation between crates of pallet boxes in which carrots are stored is desirable to remove respiratory heat, maintain uniform temperatures, and help prevent condensation. An air velocity of about 14 to 20 ft/min is adequate at low storage temperatures.

Bitterness in carrots, which may develop in storage, is due to abnormal metabolism caused by ethylene. This gas is given off by apples, pears, and certain other fruits and vegetables and from decaying tissues. Bitterness can be prevented by storing carrots away from such products. Also, development of bitterness can largely be avoided by low-temperature storage, as it minimizes ethylene production. Some surface browning or oxidative discoloration often develops in stored carrots.

The highest freezing point for carrots is 29.5 F. Severe injury in carrots immediately after freezing is identified by lengthwise cracking and by blistering caused by the formation of ice crystals immediately beneath the surface. After thawing, a darkened and water-soaked skin is observed, and the carrots are soft and flabby. Use of controlled atmospheres to extend storage of carrots has not been promising. Atmospheres containing 5 to 10 % carbon dioxide with reduced oxygen concentrations of 2.5 to 6 % caused a marked increase in mold growth and rotting over that of carrots stored in air.

The most important decays of carrots in storage are gray mold rot (Botrytis), watery soft rot (Sclerotinia), crater rot (Rhizoctonia), fusarium rot, rhizopus soft rot, bacterial soft rot, black rot (Stemphylium), and sour rot (Geotrichum). Spoilage losses will be minimized if the following precautions are observed: Use new or disinfected storage containers, handle carefully to prevent injuries, pre-cool carrots, maintain them at a temperature near 32 F and avoid temperature fluctuations.

ENTERPRISE BUDGETS

The following information has been quoted from Oregon State University Extension publication EM 8379, April 1988, which gives costs and return estimates for carrots grown for processing in western Oregon. The publication should be consulted for the major assumptions and operations used in constructing this information. This budget is intended to be used as a guide in estimating actual costs and does not represent any particular farm.

Budget: Total variable costs for western Oregon carrots were estimated at $423.91 and total fixed costs at $225.26 per acre, resulting in $679.17 total cost of production per acre. The break-even price needed to cover variable costs was $14.13 per ton, and the break-even price needed to cover all costs was $22.63 per ton, based on an estimated yield of 30 tons per acre.

The following information has been quoted from Oregon State University Extension publications EM 8459, March 1991 which gives costs and return estimates for slicer carrots grown for processing in eastern Oregon. The publication should be consulted for the major assumptions and operations used in constructing this information. This budget is intended to be used as a guide in estimating actual costs and does not represent any particular farm.

Budget: Total variable costs for eastern Oregon were estimated at $1001.23 and total fixed costs at $341.21 per acre, resulting in $1,342.44 per acre total cost of production. The break-even price needed to cover variable costs was $40.04 per ton, and the break-even price needed to cover all costs was $53.69 per ton, based on an estimated yield of 25 tons of non-scalped slicer carrots per acre. Note: Non-scalped dicer carrot yields are estimated at 35 tons per acre.

The following information has been quoted from the 1994 Washington State University publication EB1504 for carrots produced in the Columbia Basin. The publication should be consulted for the major assumptions and operations used in constructing this information. This budget is intended to be used as a guide in estimating actual costs and does not represent any particular farm.

For Chantenay carrots, the budget indicates a total variable cost of $1,140; total cash cost of $1,452; total cash cost and depreciation of $1513; and a total cost of $1,686. The break-even price based on total costs is $42.15 per ton assuming 40 tons per acre.

For Imperator carrots the budget indicates a total variable cost of $1,405; total cash cost of $1,716; total cash cost and depreciation of $17,70; and a total cost of $1,965. The break-even price based on total costs is $72.78 per ton assuming 27 tons per acre.