Search Results (131)

The influence of cover crop functional type on soil nematode feeding group structure, food web condition, and crop productivity in horticultural systems remains poorly understood. Using DNA metabarcoding targeting the V6–V8 region of the 18S rRNA gene, we characterized nematode community responses in soil samples collected from a carrot (Daucus carota L.) production system in Ontario, Canada. We evaluated the effects of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and their mixture under two nitrogen regimes. Bacterivores dominated all treatments (60.8%), whereby sampling time and cover crop identity jointly explained 33.5% of community variance. Nematode community ecological indices revealed highly significant temporal shifts in food web condition, including seasonal decline in maturity and structure indices and a rise in the channel index, indicating food web restructuring regardless of cover crop type. Individual cover-crop exhibited distinct trade-offs between nematode suppression and crop productivity, while sorghum drove a pronounced bacterivore-to-fungivore transition. The alfalfa–sorghum (legume–non-legume) mixture emerged as the most agronomically balanced treatment, uniquely combining plant-parasitic nematode suppression with the highest individual carrot weight and the most balanced soil food web structure. This study provides important insights into how cover crop functional type influences soil nematode communities and crop performance in carrot production systems. Future studies repeating this experiment across multiple locations and growing seasons would help determine the consistency of these responses under a broader range of environmental conditions. Full article

Hemp plants are precious resources for the textile industry, being considered a sustainable and more economical alternative to cotton. Sustainable dyeing processes should minimize the consumption of water, energy, and chemicals while ensuring high color intensity and reducing the pollution load of residual baths. Black carrot (Daucus carota L. ssp. sativus) is a valuable source of dyes for dyeing hemp materials because it is rich in anthocyanins and anthocyanidins, which generate colors ranging from red-orange and muted magenta to blue, depending on the pH. In this article, the dye extraction process was colorimetrically monitored for 26 days to determine the optimal fermentation/storage period that generates the most intense color during the dyeing process. The dyeing parameters tested were temperature (40–100 °C), pH (4.33–9.15), duration (1–24 h), concentration (2.5–10%), and the presence of organic acids (ascorbic and citric acids). Virgin baths and the first three residual baths were used in the dyeing process. While the results of FTIR, SEM, and EDX analyses confirmed the dyeing process, the CIEL*a*b* measurements quantified the characteristics of the colors obtained using virgin and residual baths. The 12 principles of green chemistry were also discussed, together with their implementation in hemp dyeing. Full article

Postharvest quality of carrot (Daucus carota L.) is determined by the interaction between genotype and storage environment, yet systematic comparative evidence across pigmented genotypes with contrasting biochemical profiles remains scarce. This study evaluated the postharvest behavior of five carrot genotypes (6KUR, 14BER, yellow, white, and purple) under refrigeration (4 °C) and room temperature (15 °C) over 30 days, integrating physicochemical, spectral, and consumer-based assessment. Variables included color, fresh weight loss, respiration rate, firmness, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, and β-carotene quantification by spectrophotometry. Non-destructive monitoring was performed using Vis/NIR reflectance (350–1900 nm) with spectral indices sensitive to anthocyanin and carotenoid content (CRI1, CRI2, mARI) and tissue structural integrity (NDVI), and consumer perception (~60 participants per evaluation) was characterized through natural language processing of open-ended responses. Refrigeration significantly reduced β-carotene degradation (~15–20% loss vs. 50–60% at room temperature) and better preserved overall quality across genotypes. Purple carrots demonstrated superior postharvest stability across multiple traits, whereas white carrots showed the greatest susceptibility to quality loss. Spectral indices exhibited genotype-dependent temporal variation, particularly in pigmented roots, supporting their potential for non-destructive pigment monitoring during storage. Consumer descriptors reflected a progressive decline in desirable sensory attributes under both conditions. These findings support the integration of physicochemical, spectral, and sensory approaches for comprehensive postharvest characterization of genotypically diverse carrot germplasm, and identify priority genotypes and trait combinations for future predictive modeling studies. Full article

Glyphosate-based herbicides are widely used in agriculture. However, their broader effects on plant lipid metabolism remain insufficiently characterized beyond their canonical target, the shikimate pathway. In this study, we evaluated tissue-specific lipidomic responses of carrot (Daucus carota L.) plants grown under controlled conditions following sublethal foliar exposure to a commercial glyphosate-based herbicide formulation. Leaves, leaf stalks, and roots were harvested 30 days after application, and lipid extracts were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Multivariate statistical analyses were applied to assess treatment-related differences. Morphological parameters showed no major visible symptoms, although minor changes in shoot architecture were observed. Untargeted lipidomic profiling revealed treatment-associated, tissue-specific alterations in lipid composition. In leaves, changes were detected in free fatty acids, tocopherols, and galactolipids, whereas leaf stalks and storage roots showed alterations mainly affecting phospholipid and glycerolipid classes. In summary, lipid profiles indicated shifts in the relative abundance of membrane- and storage-related lipid species. These results suggest that sublethal exposure to a glyphosate-based herbicide formulation may be associated with measurable lipidomic differences in carrot tissues, highlighting the sensitivity of untargeted lipidomic profiling for detecting metabolic responses to agrochemical exposure. Full article

Anthocyanin-rich fruits and vegetables are widely recognized for their antioxidant and health-promoting properties. This study investigated the chemical composition and in vitro biological activity of extracts from the yellow-purple Polignano carrot, a traditional multicolored landrace from Southern Italy. Among the yellow, orange, and purple variants, the purple carrots exhibited an approximately tenfold higher antioxidant capacity (45 ± 0.23 mg Trolox g⁻¹ FW) and were therefore selected for further analysis. Fifteen phenolic compounds, three carotenoids, and twenty-nine lipid molecular species were identified. The (poly)phenol extract from purple Polignano carrots induced a dose-dependent hormetic response in the range 50–500 μg/mL in HT-29 and U2OS cancer cells, stimulating viability at low concentrations and slightly reducing it at higher doses. In contrast, a carotenoid-enriched nanoemulsion triggered marked cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects in U2OS cells at 50 μg/mL concentration, as evidenced by increased caspase-3 activity, while a control pumpkin-derived nanoemulsion was inactive. These results highlight the distinct biological activities of (poly)phenols and carotenoids and underscore the importance of nanoformulation strategies in enhancing carotenoid bioactivity, supporting their potential application in functional foods and nutraceutical development. Full article

Understanding of carrot growth dynamics and ecophysiological functioning in tropical highland environments remains limited, despite the crop’s productive importance in the Colombian Andean region. This study aimed to characterize biomass accumulation and partitioning, as well as the photosynthetic response to radiation, in two carrot (Daucus carota L.) cultivars (Berlicum- and Flakkee-type) grown under high-altitude Andean tropical conditions in Rionegro, Antioquia. To account for field spatial heterogeneity, four beds were used as blocks, and both cultivars were evaluated in parallel under comparable field conditions. Weekly destructive samplings were performed to quantify total dry biomass, shoot biomass, root biomass, leaf number, and leaf area. In addition, the response of net CO₂ assimilation to photosynthetically active radiation was evaluated using a portable gas-exchange system. Total and root biomass were described using logistic models, shoot biomass using a Gaussian model, and the photosynthetic response using an exponential model. Berlicum showed higher biomass accumulation, whereas Flakkee exhibited an earlier response of growth and photosynthetic activity. In both cultivars, the highest functional capacity was concentrated in stage III, coinciding with the strengthening of the storage-root sink. Overall, the results indicate contrasting temporal patterns in biomass partitioning and photosynthetic performance between the two carrot cultivars and provide a useful ecophysiological framework for interpreting crop management and harvest timing under high-altitude Andean tropical conditions. Full article

Efficient water management is essential for sustainable agriculture, particularly for crops like carrots that are traditionally grown in soil systems with high water consumption, averaging 4500–6000 m³/ha. Hydroponics offers a potential alternative due to its higher water-use efficiency, yet root crops have been understudied because of system design and economic challenges. This study evaluated the effects of different hydroponic solution volumes on the growth of carrots (Daucus carota cv. Mokum) in a Deep-Water Culture (DWC) system to address knowledge gaps regarding their feasibility in soilless production. Experiments were conducted in a controlled greenhouse using three solution volume treatments (50% with 10.75 L, 75% with 16.13 L, and 100% with 21.50 L) applied to 12 plants per treatment across two repeated experiments. Biomass production, water use efficiency, and total carotenoid concentration were assessed after eight weeks. The 100% (21.50 L) volume treatment produced the greatest shoot and root biomass, whereas the 50% (10.75 L) volume treatment significantly increased total carotenoid concentration, particularly in the second trial. Despite lower water inputs, water use efficiency did not differ statistically among treatments. These results indicate that carrots can be successfully cultivated in DWC systems, though further optimization, such as using narrower containers, may be required to improve efficiency and competitiveness with soil-based production. Full article

Soil salinization is a major constraint on irrigated rice cultivation, mainly due to poor irrigation management and cropping in coastal areas. Seed priming is widely recognized as a cost-effective and practical approach to enhance early growth and improve tolerance to abiotic stresses, including salinity. This study evaluated the effects of seed priming of rice seeds from two cultivars, BRS Querência (Indica) and BRS 358 (Japonica), using aqueous carrot root extract at 0% (water), 25%, and 50% concentrations for 48 h. Seeds were sown in rhizotrons and exposed to 0, 75, or 150 mM NaCl. Morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits were evaluated at 21 days after sowing. Seed priming with carrot extract was associated with improved growth and physiological responses under salinity stress. Under 150 mM NaCl, primed seedlings showed approximately 40% higher chlorophyll index, 35% greater root volume, and 30% higher shoot dry mass compared to unprimed controls. The 25% extract concentration was particularly effective for BRS Querência, which showed enhanced root elongation and a higher nitrogen balance index. Activities of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and catalase increased by 45–70%, while hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels decreased by approximately 50%, suggesting enhanced antioxidant responses and improved redox balance. Anthocyanin accumulation also increased in specific cultivar–treatment combinations, suggesting a potential effect on secondary metabolism and antioxidant pathways. Overall, carrot-based seed priming was associated with improved seedling performance, pigment stability, and regulation of oxidative stress under saline conditions. These results suggest that carrot-based seed priming may improve physiological performance under salinity stress. Full article

Myo-inositol (MI) is recognized as a potential stress regulator capable of alleviating abiotic stress. The objective of this study is to analyze the role of MI in the salt stress response of Daucus carota L. and its potential mechanisms. “Hongxin Qicun” carrot seedlings were subjected to five treatments: control; salt stress (50 mM NaCl); and salt stress combined with 50, 100, or 200 μM of MI. Through an integrated approach combining physiological assays, non-invasive micro-test technology (NMT), and gene expression profiling, we found that salt stress severely inhibited seedling growth, disrupted K⁺/Na⁺ homeostasis, and triggered excessive H₂O₂ accumulation. Exogenous MI application mitigated these salt-induced damages, with 100 μM MI exerting the optimal effect. MI enhanced Na⁺ efflux and reduced K⁺ efflux in carrot roots under salt stress. Inhibitor experiments indicated that MI-promoted Na⁺ efflux relies on active transport via the plasma membrane (PM) Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter system, and qRT-PCR analysis showed that this response was accompanied by the upregulation of DcSOS1. Furthermore, MI contributes to K⁺ homeostasis by synergistically modulating PM H⁺-ATPase and high-affinity potassium transporters. The established proton gradient helps reduce salt-induced K⁺ loss through depolarization-activated potassium channels and non-selective cation channels. MI treatment decreased electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde content, and H₂O₂ accumulation by enhancing the activities of the plant antioxidant defense system. Meanwhile, MI upregulated the expression of myo-inositol oxygenase (DcMIOXs) genes, which may contribute to osmotic balance maintenance and facilitate ROS scavenging. In conclusion, exogenous MI alleviates salt-induced physiological disorders in Daucus carota L. by coordinately regulating K⁺/Na⁺ and ROS homeostasis, with 100 μM identified as the optimal concentration for this effect. Full article

Carrot (Daucus carota) is one of the most important vegetable crops, and as a cross-pollinated species, it relies on insect pollinators for successful seed set. However, carrot flowers are not highly attractive to honeybees (Apis mellifera), which are the main managed pollinators. During the 2023–2024 season, a field experiment was conducted on commercial carrot seed plantations to evaluate the effect of a pollinator attractant on pollinator abundance and its impact on seed yield. Pollinating insects were observed during the carrot flowering period, between 20 May and 22 July, and their response to spraying with the attractant Biopolin^® (ICB Pharma) was assessed. A total of nine observations were conducted, and carrot seed yield was analyzed, including germination capacity. The application of the attractant increased the number of pollinating insects by 24 individuals/m²/10 min, from 57 to 81 individuals/m²/10 min. The dominant groups were honeybees and Rhagonycha fulva, with the latter becoming increasingly abundant as flowering progressed. Both honeybees and other pollinators (wild pollinators) showed higher visitation rates on attractant-treated plots. The treated plots also produced higher seed yield and greater thousand-seed weight. The results confirm the effectiveness of using attractants in commercial carrot seed production to enhance pollinator activity and improve yield parameters. Full article

Carrots, scientifically referred to as Daucus carota L., are widely recognized as one of the most consumed vegetables, frequently utilized in culinary applications and juice manufacturing, both commercially and domestically. This results in significant amounts of waste, primarily from the pomace. Carrot pomace represents a promising low-cost raw material for the production of value-added ingredients for the food and feed industries. The extraction of total carotenoids (TC) and the evaluation of antioxidant activity (AA) were optimized in this study by employing environmentally friendly methods, including ultrasonication. The Central Composite Design (CCD) was utilized in order to establish a response surface approach for the purpose of evaluating the impacts of extraction duration, temperature, and the ratio of material to solvent on the recovery of TC and AA. Under optimal conditions, the TC content was 38.20 mg/g of dry weight, with an antioxidant capacity of 1522.02 μmol TE/g DW, as determined by the ABTS assay. According to the findings, the optimal parameters for extraction were a temperature of 58.9 °C, a solvent mixture ratio of 20.35 mL/g, and a duration of 51 min. The proposed ultrasound-assisted process provides a sustainable and scalable approach for carrot pomace valorization, contributing to the development of circular and resource-efficient agro-industrial processing. Full article

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a pivotal role in plant adaptation to arid ecosystems, yet their widespread agricultural use is constrained by the scarcity of high-quality, locally adapted inoculum. This study established a reliable monoxenic culture system for mass-producing an indigenous AMF isolate from the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) rhizosphere in the Figuig oasis, southeastern Morocco. The isolate was identified as Rhizophagus irregularis based on spore morphology and Large Subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU rDNA) phylogeny. Two propagule types, surface-sterilized spores and mycorrhizal root fragments of Plantago lanceolata L., were compared for initiation of in vitro cultures on Ri T-DNA-transformed carrot (Daucus carota L.) hairy roots. By week 16, cultures initiated from mycorrhizal root fragments produced 1414 ± 65 spores per plate and showed significantly higher performance than spore-derived cultures in terms of propagule viability, root colonization, and hairy root growth. Propagule viability reached 84% and 68%, root colonization frequencies were 95% and 72%, and hairy root lengths averaged 81 and 63 cm in root fragment- and spore-derived cultures, respectively (p < 0.01). In a subsequent whole-plant assay using P. lanceolata, in vitro-produced spores induced markedly higher mycorrhizal colonization frequency (91.0 ± 1.6% compared with 74.8 ± 1.9%) and intensity (70.0 ± 1.6% compared with 55.0 ± 1.6%) than spores obtained from conventional trap cultures (p < 0.001). These results demonstrate that monoxenic root-organ culture using root fragments is a robust, reproducible method for generating abundant, contaminant-free, and functionally superior inoculum of native R. irregularis. This advance provides a solid platform for developing tailored bio-inoculants to enhance crop resilience and sustainability in arid and semi-arid agroecosystems. Full article

In arid regions, irrigation is essential for sustaining crop production, but irrigation water often contains high levels of salts that may reduce yields. This study aimed to evaluate crop responses to irrigation water with salinity levels exceeding 4 g/L (≈6.25 dS/m). A large-scale field survey was conducted across several Tunisian governorates, covering a wide range of crops and production systems. Irrigation water salinity and corresponding crop yields were recorded and analyzed to determine tolerance patterns under real farming conditions. Results indicate that, even under high salinity conditions, several cropssuch as carrot (Daucus carota), barley (Hordeum vulgare), and tomato (Solanum lycpersicum), can maintain high yields, highlighting their potential for saline irrigation in arid regions. These findings provide valuable insights for irrigation management, crop selection, and the development of sustainable agricultural practices in arid environments. Full article

Carrot (Daucus carota L.) is a widely consumed root vegetable, yet its aerial parts, including leaves and stems, are typically discarded as agricultural by-products, despite their potential biological value. This study comparatively evaluated the antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties of carrot aerial and root parts extracted using hot water or 50% ethanol. Four extracts were prepared: aerial part hot-water (AP-W), aerial part ethanol (AP-E), underground part hot-water (UP-W), and underground part ethanol (UP-E). The total phenolic content (TPC, expressed as gallic acid equivalents; GAE) and total flavonoid content (TFC, expressed as quercetin equivalents; QE) were quantified using the Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminum nitrate colorimetric methods, respectively. Antioxidant capacities were determined by ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging assays, cytotoxicity was assessed in RAW 264.7 macrophages via the MTT assay, nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured using the Griess reaction, and cytokine (IL-6, TNF-α) concentrations were analyzed by ELISA. Among the extracts, AP-E exhibited the highest TPC (28.3 ± 0.3 µg GAE/mg extract) and TFC (18.2 ± 2.3 µg QE/mg extract), corresponding to the strongest ABTS (92.3 ± 2.5%) and DPPH (72.4 ± 7.3%) radical scavenging activities. None of the extracts demonstrated cytotoxicity below 400 µg/mL. Under basal conditions, AP-W and UP-W significantly enhanced NO production (9.5 ± 1.3 µM and 7.7 ± 1.2 µM, respectively), while co-treatment with LPS markedly reduced NO levels in AS-E (2.3 ± 0.2 µM). Consistently, AP-W and UP-W elevated cytokine secretion (IL-6: 3462.1 ± 349.7 pg/mL and 1749.4 ± 55.4 pg/mL; TNF-α: 15,245.2 ± 771.0 pg/mL and 14,719.1 ± 329.8 pg/mL), whereas AP-E (400 µg/mL) significantly suppressed IL-6 (3938.6 ± 268.7 pg/mL) and TNF-α (11,869.0 ± 721.1 pg/mL) under LPS-stimulated conditions. Collectively, these results indicate that hot-water extracts of carrot parts exert immunostimulatory activity, whereas ethanol extracts possess potent anti-inflammatory potential. The aerial parts of carrots, often regarded as waste biomass, exhibit comparable or superior bioactivities to the roots, underscoring their potential utility as promising functional food ingredients. Full article

The cultivated carrot (Daucus carota L. subsp. sativus) is a globally important crop valued for its high content of beta-carotene, vitamins, and other bioactive compounds. Advances in molecular genetics and genomics have driven improvements in yield, stress tolerance, disease resistance, pigment accumulation, and nutritional quality. Here we present a comprehensive scientometric analysis of 398 peer-reviewed articles on carrot genetics (1964–2023), integrating keyword co-occurrence mapping and co-authorship network analysis to identify research lines, methodological approaches, and international collaboration. The focus of research was predominantly on Plant Biology (67.59%), followed by Conservation (15.58%) and Plant Breeding (10.55%). The integration of omics technologies has yielded new insights into abiotic stress tolerance, carotenoid and anthocyanin biosynthesis, and genetic diversity; however, significant challenges remain in translating genomic resources into routine breeding practice and conservation of genetic resources. We recommend prioritizing genome-assisted breeding strategies, functional genomics and interdisciplinary, multi-omics approaches to accelerate the development of resilient and high-quality carrot cultivars under climate change. Full article