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Title: The CIOA (Carrot Improvement for Organic Agriculture) project: location, cropping system and genetic background influence carrot performance including top height and flavour

Author
item Simon, Philipp
item NAVAZIO, J - Organic Seed Alliance
item COLLEY, M - Organic Seed Alliance
item MCCLUSKEY, C - Organic Seed Alliance
item ZYSTRO, J - Organic Seed Alliance
item HOAGLAND, L - Purdue University
item ROBERTS, P - University Of California
item DU TOIT, L - Washington State University
item WATERS, T - Washington State University
item SILVA, E - University Of Wisconsin
item COLQUHOUN, J - University Of Wisconsin
item NUNEZ, J - University Of California

Submitted to: Acta Horticulturae
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/23/2015
Publication Date: 3/10/2017
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/5678142
Citation: Simon, P.W., Navazio, J.P., Colley, M., McCluskey, C., Zystro, J., Hoagland, L., Roberts, P.A., du Toit, L.J., Waters, T., Silva, E., Colquhoun, J., Nunez, J. 2017. The CIOA (Carrot Improvement for Organic Agriculture) project: location, cropping system and genetic background influence carrot performance including top height and flavour. Acta Horticulturae. 1153:1-8. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2017.1153.1.

Interpretive Summary: In response to crop production needs of organic and small-scale carrot farmers, as well consumer demands for locally grown and organic vegetables, the Carrot Improvement for Organic Agriculture (CIOA) Project was developed. A collection of 36 carrot genetic stocks, including both widely grown carrot cultivars as well as promising experimental breeding populations from the USDA carrot breeding program, are being grown on both organic and conventional farms in California, Indiana, Washington, and Wisconsin over four years to determine the effects of both cultivar-to-cultivar genetic differences, as well contrasting crop production systems. Carrots in this project vary widely for color, flavor, disease and pest resistance, and canopy size. Results to date indicate that the large genetic differences among carrots in the CIOA Project generally hold up across the four growing locations, with minimal effects attributable to crop production systems. Outreach activities associated with this project have resulted in development of a web site for growers and on-farm trialing of promising experimental breeding populations. This research is of interest to small and large-scale vegetable growers, vegetable seed companies, carrot researchers, and the organic food industry.

Technical Abstract: U.S. organic farmers surveyed listed improved seedling germination and Alternaria leaf blight resistance as top breeding priorities for field production of organic carrots. Nematode resistance is also very important for growers. Flavor was deemed the most important consumer trait to improve in carrots, and nutrition the most important product quality variable for consumers. To address these needs, field trials of diverse carrots varying in top size, disease and pest resistance, root shape and color, flavor, and nutritional value are being evaluated by the Carrot Improvement for Organic Agriculture (CIOA) Project on both organic and conventional farms in California, Indiana, Washington, and Wisconsin. Wide ranges of canopy sizes were observed in this diverse carrot germplasm that includes, not only orange carrots, but also novel purple, yellow, and red storage root colors. Top height varied widely among entries at a given location, and fresh carrot flavor (sweetness and harsh, turpentiney flavor) also varied widely among the genetic stocks evaluated across the locations and production systems. Relative top height ranking and ranking of flavor scores among genetic stocks was quite consistent across locations. Nematode and Alternaria leaf blight resistance trials demonstrated wide variation among genetic stocks. Other diseases observed in some of the trials were bacterial blight, Cercospora leaf spot, and powdery mildew. The CIOA Project reached approximately 160 farmers in 2012-13 with education on organic breeding and variety trials.