Canopy Volume and Root Length Influence Greenshoulder and Internal Greening in Carrot

Abstract

Greenshoulder (GS) and internal greening (IG) are physiological disorders in carrots that affect root appearance and profits to the producer. Experiments were conducted to examine genotypic sensitivity to GS and IG and to understand the relationship among canopy volume, root length, and GS and IG. Season and genotype affected GS and IG. Genotypes varied in GS and IG significantly and differentially. Regression analysis indicated a significant, negative, linear relationship between leaf area index and GS (R ² = 0.80, P ≤ 0.0001) and IG (R ² = 0.62, P ≤ 0.0001), implying that leaf canopy volume influenced the development of GS and IG. There were positive, significant, linear relationships between root length and GS (R ² = 0.65, P ≤ 0.0001) and IG (R ² = 0.35, P ≤ 0.0001) development. GS and IG are frequently observed in genotypes that have longer roots. GS and IG can be reduced by optimizing canopy volume.

Keywords:

• Chlorophyll index
• Genotype sensitivity
• Greening tolerance
• Leaf area index
• Physiological disorder

The authors thank the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Technology Development 2000 program, Oxford Frozen Foods Ltd., and Bragg Lumber Co. Ltd., for the funding provided for this study.