Carrot

The carrot plant has a napiform root, of different shape and color depending on the variety. Its main root has two functions: store and support of the plant. On the other hand, secondary roots are responsible for absorbing water and nutrients present in the soil. The root has two defined parts that are the xylem and the medulla. The most accepted in the market are those that present more proportion of external part, since the xylem is generally woody and tasteless.

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The flore are white, with long bracts at their base, grouped in inflorescences in composite umbel.

The root, hypertrophied, is pigmented with carotene, which will be the future vitamin A, which gives it orange, violet or yellow. The leaves are compound, have a long petiole and form around the neck a rosette on which depends the greater or lesser facility for mechanized harvesting.

It is a crop of great economic importance since the production of countries like Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Guatemala not only satisfies the national markets; but it is also exported to the United States.

Climatic requirements

Temperature: the carrot is a vegetable that adapts to several types of climate, however, it has a preference for temperate climates. The optimal temperature of carrot growth is between 15 and 21 º C, being the minimum temperature to ensure a good production of 9 º C. On the contrary, high temperatures of more than 28 º C, cause an acceleration in the processes of development of the carrot. The seed germinates from 7º C with an optimal range that goes from 15º C to 20º C.

Humidity: the cultivation of the carrot requires relative humidity or air humidity of 70 or 80%. However, a high relative humidity in conditions of low temperatures favors the development of certain pathogenic species that attack the root.

Luminosity: the carrot is a crop that requires good lighting, which will be modified according to the density of planting, the pruning system and the tutored, because low light conditions do not favor the storage in the root and therefore the amount of reserves decreases and production is low in weight per area planted.

Altitude: the carrot is cultivated at an average altitude of 1200 masl, however, there are new cultivars that adapt to different agroclimatic zones, especially at low levels between 750 and 900 meters above sea level.

Edaphic requirements
For a good carrot production, a deep soil is required, with a loamy, sandy texture, well aerated and fresh, rich in potassium, which maintains moisture with sufficient porosity to provide good aeration. Heavy soils produce lower-quality, hard, fibrous roots of smaller size and coloration.
The proper pH of the soil is 6.5 to 7.5. After the cultivation of carrots, the planting of cereals, potatoes or sunflowers can be intercalated, usually in the Central American area the exchanges or rotations are more with the cultivation of potatoes and some other vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, onion cauliflower and beet.

In the rainy season it is necessary to elaborate quite high ridges (rows) and seed beds of approximately 1.20 m wide by 20 or 30 cm high to avoid that the excess of humidity, as a result of the precipitations, favor the development of diseases of the Soil that causes the death of the seedlings.

Multiplication
For the production of carrots, seed with a high percentage of germination, vigor and genetic purity must be used. These characteristics will allow obtaining better results at the time of harvest, so it is recommended to check this information in the package (tin or envelope) of the seed that you intend to buy.

Choice of plant material
It will depend on the type of root that the market demands, among which the following varieties exist:

• Parisienne: short and thick

• Amsterdam: elongated and cylindrical

• Nantesa: semi-long, cylindrical and without tip

• Colmar: large roots, very long and conical

• Imperator: elongated, thin and tipped top

• Chantenay: short, thick, pronounced point

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Annual carrot seed production

The production of seed of local populations (PL) of annual carrots was characterized by case studies, interviewing eleven family farmers and monitoring of nine seed crops. PLs are multiplied by periods of 15 to 45 years. The selection of roots predominates by orange external color, cylindrical shape, rounded tip and fine insertion of the stem. 27% select by internal orange color. The roots are planted between August and the beginning of September. 27% use chemical fertilizer and 55% organic fertilizer. Plant between 31000 and 39200 roots / ha at distances between 25 and 35 cm. They do not drive the plants. They do not consider isolation distances or place hives. The harvest is staggered between mid December and mid-January, prioritizing large umbels. 73% keep the umbels without threshing in hanging bags, and 27% keep the seed threshed. They keep the seed for up to three years. The main problems identified in the nurseries were aphids, plant failures, root rot, tipping and decreased seed germination during storage. The average number of umbels per plant was one in the primary order, 10 in the secondary and 18 in the tertiary. The average production of seeds per plant was 55 g, with extreme values ​​between 30 and 87 g, corresponding 16% to the primary order, 68% to the secondary and 16% to the tertiary. The weight of a thousand seeds was 2.1; 1.7 and 1.6 g and the germination percentage of 86, 82 and 77% for each of the three orders.

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The fact that field temperatures in the south of the country are sufficient for floral induction and the feasibility of producing seed by applying relatively simple management practices, with low production costs, has allowed the family farmer who grows PL for root also produce seed to meet their needs and sometimes exchange it with neighbors or make a local sale.

In each seedling, eight plants were marked with colored wool and the umbels of different orders were harvested separately as they matured. The harvest was carried out in stages from January 5 to 31 when the umbel was dark brown and brittle.

Benefits and healing properties of the carrot

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The carrot, that vegetable so used in all houses, is native to Central Asia, although it spread throughout Europe and Africa and is currently grown in most regions of the planet. It is very nutritious, so it offers numerous benefits and healing properties for the human being.

The carrot is extraordinarily rich in vitamin A. Precisely the carotene, present in this vegetable in high quantities, owes its name to carrots (in English carrot is called carrot). This compound is transformed into vitamin A in our body and is thus stored.

Carrots are a source of sodium, sulfur, chlorine and contain some iodine. These minerals are very close to the bark, so the carrot should not be peeled.

Properties of the carrot

Cavities
Chewing a carrot right after eating food kills any harmful germs in your mouth. Cleans the teeth, removes food particles that have been impregnated in the crevices and prevents the bleeding of the gums and cavities.

Digestive disorders
Chewing raw carrot also increases saliva and accelerates digestion, providing enzymes, minerals and vitamins needed. The regular consumption of this vegetable prevents the formation of gastric ulcers and other digestive disorders. Carrot juice is an excellent remedy to treat intestinal cramps, appendicitis, peptic ulcers and dyspepsia.

Constipated
If you combine carrot juice with spinach and add a few drops of lemon, you will get a very effective remedy for the treatment of constipation. This mixture cleanses the intestines. The result can not be expected from one day to the next, but in two months the process begins to regulate.

Diarrhea
It has been discovered that carrot soups are very effective in treating diarrhea. It provides the body with liquid and minerals, such as: sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulfur and magnesium, which combats dehydration. On the other hand, it prevents the growth of harmful bacteria and vomiting.

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Intestinal parasites
Carrots are unsurpassed in the treatment of infant intestinal parasites, as well as any other type of parasites in the body. A small cup of grated carrot taken every morning fasting can help get rid of these unpleasant visitors.

Fertility
Raw carrots are good for fertility. It is believed that sometimes sterility is overcome with a very frequent and regular consumption of this vegetable.

Mucosa
Carrot juice seems to be very beneficial for the different mucous membranes of the body. It is especially effective in treating problems of dryness and hardness of the skin.

Not for fun is one of the most popular vegetables of all. We recommend that you include it in your weekly diet and that you try to consume large quantities. The benefits and healing properties of the carrot should be used for our health.

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