Standardization of Seed Production Technology of European Carrots in Cold Arid Trans-Himalayan Ladakh Region of India

Abstract

European carrot is one of the most emerging root vegetables grown in India. These are very rich in carotene content. In Ladakh, the cold arid mountainous region, European carrots are very popular for root production. European carrot has a special significance in cold arid regions like Ladakh where breeding and seed production of European/ temperate type can be done due to congenial and favourable climate. As the European carrots are biennial for seed production, the root crop was produced in first season (crop season of 2012) and seed crop was raised in the next season (crop season of 2013). Climate of the area is typically dry temperate. Experiment consisting of two dates of replanting (29 March and 28 April), four diameter groups of stecklings (<20mm; 20-25mm; 25-30mm and >30mm) and two varieties of European carrots (Early Nantes and Pusa Yamdagni) conducted in the split split plot design with three replications. Replanting of steckling on 29 April took statistically lesser days to flowering and seed maturity. Diameter group of stecklings (>30mm) exhibited significantly shortest time to flower and seed maturity as well as statistically highest seed yield over all the other diameter groups except Diameter group (25-30mm). Carrot var. Early Nantes showed superiority for all the characters under study. Steckling diameter group (>30mm) x Variety E. Nantes produced statistically highest seed yield. Date of replant (29 March) x Diameter group (>30mm) x Variety E. Nantes generated highest seed yield. Carrot steckling replanting of variety Early Nantes in April with root diameter more than 25 mm is recommended for whole Ladakh region. Ladakh region can be a seed production hub of European carrots and requirement of seed import to India can be minimized if potential is tapped judiciously.