Populational density and harvest age of carrots for baby carrot manufacture

Abstract

The quality of baby carrots may be associated to the standard of the raw material that in turn, may be influenced by agronomic practices. Thus, the effect of planting density and harvest age were assessed on physical and morphological characteristics, yield and end quality of intact and minimally processed carrots in the form of baby carrots. A randomized block experimental design was used with the density in the plots (4 x 20 cm and 4 x 7.5 cm) and the harvest age in the subplots (50, 57, 64, 71, 78, 85, 92, 99 and 106 days), with five replications. The experimental unit consisted of 25 plants. The assessments of diameter, length, yield, secondary phloem translocation with the cambio and total carotenoids were decisive in selecting the carrot harvest age for baby carrot manufacture. Under the 4 x 20 cm and 4 x 7.5 cm adensed conditions, harvested between 85 and 92 days, carrot roots became thinner and more orange in color (with maximum carotenoid accumulation), larger and with satisfactory yields and therefore more acceptable for minimal processing in the form of baby carrots. Thus the decision of populational density associated to harvest age will depend on the market demand, on price, quality and other variables. The use of adensed cropping with early harvests may lead to obtain carrots and respective baby carrots that are more acceptable for commercialization.

Association of preharvest management with oxidative protection and enzymatic browning in minimally processed cassava

“…Factors related to cultivation that can easily be modified, such as the harvest age and population density, promote changes in plants, both in morphology and postharvest quality attributes (Andrade et al, 2017;Leskovar, Agehara, Yoo, & Pascual-Seva, 2012;Simões et al, 2010). Recently, some field strategies have been reported to delay PPD in unprocessed cassava roots (Zainuddin et al, 2018).…”

Phosphate Fertilization as a Modulator of Enzymatic Browning in Minimally Processed Cassava

“…On the other hand, some parameters related to quality, such as the aspect of dehydration, were not noticeable, and soluble solids did not change between the tested fertilization treatments (Figure S1 of the Supporting Information and panels A and B of Figure ). The activities of classic enzymes and metabolites that participate in these disorders, such as PPO and POD − and quinones, increased with the increasing phosphate fertilization levels (panels C and D of Figure ). This also coincided with a greater accumulation of total phenolic compounds and quinones in the pieces from roots fertilized with 120 kg ha –1 P 2 O 5 (panels A and B of Figure ).…”

“…On the 10th day of storage, the PAL activity also showed a significant increase, which was more pronounced in the pieces from roots treated with P 2 O 5 (Figure B). In general, the PAL activity behaves in a downward parabolic fashion in leaves, in whole cassava roots, and in minimally processed carrot . This increased enzyme activity is very characteristic of the moment that precedes physical damage, and its subsequent sudden decline is linked to the de novo synthesis of a PAL inactivation factor known as PAL-IF .…”

Impact of Tillage Depth and Planting Spacing on Plant Growth and Root Yield of Carrot (Daucus carota L.)

“…Carrots are one of the most important vegetable crops grown worldwide for its tasty roots. In terms of production areas and market value, it is one of the top ten most economically significant vegetable crops in the world for a shortduration crop (Adon et al, 2010). In Bangladesh, carrots are effectively produced during the Rabi season, or during October to March.…”