Description
Carrot is a plant that grows in the shape of a cone in two year period belonging to Umbelliferae family. It is a popular vegetable in Mediterranean countries, Australia and New Zealand. In Turkey it has other names such as Bal Kamış, Gelin Parmağı and Yere Batan. It has 60 cultivars. Origin of the orange carrot is Europe and Middle East. Origin of the red carrot is India and China. Origin of the yellow carrot is West Asia.
Carrot is cultivated in cold climates. Temperature during its growing process is 15-20°C. This temperature is influential in the making of the orange colour. Carrot is cultivated under the soil. For this reason in order its surface and roots to be straight the soil under which is planted has to be soft. Carrot can be cultivated in every season but in our country it is cultivated in winters.
Turkey produces 602 thousand tonne carrot. Carrot is ranked 9th in terms of fresh vegetable production in Turkey. Most known types of carrot which has many cultivars are orange, red, white, purple, yellow, black, parsnip, nantes, nelson carrots. Most cultivated type in Turkey are Purple and Black Carrots. Black carrot in Turkey is used in the making of Şalgam Suyu(Turnip Juice) that is famous in Adana. %59 of the carrot production in Turkey is done in Konya. Most important productive provinces after Konya are Ankara-Beypazarı and Hatay-Kırıkhan. 20 thousand tonne of carrots that are produced in Konya are exported to Romania, Bulgaria, Italy and Serbia. Black carrot that is produced in Ereğli county of Konya is the type of carrot that receives the most attention in export. 100 thousand tonne of production is done in an area of 25 thousand decares.