Carrot Yields: Organic vs. Conventional Insights
Organic farming is valued for its environmental, health, and quality-of-life benefits, but its ability to feed a growing population is debated due to challenges in nutrient availability and pest management. Many farmers worldwide rely on organic practices due to limited access to chemical inputs. Studies show that organic farming generally yields less than conventional methods, though results vary by crop and location. Researchers aim to improve organic yields while maintaining food quality and ecosystem benefits, with plant breeding emerging as a key strategy for advancing organic agriculture.
This study compares the performance of 36 carrot breeding lines and cultivars in organic and conventional environments, emphasizing the importance of breeding strategies that align with the unique challenges and benefits of organic farming. Researchers evaluated yield and foliar growth rates to identify which varieties are most advantageous for organic growers.
By understanding these variations, plant breeders can develop carrot varieties specifically suited to organic cultivation, ensuring improved resilience and market quality.
Findings suggest that organically managed carrots may exhibit distinct adaptive traits compared to their conventionally grown counterparts, reinforcing the need for breeding programs tailored to organic production. The study underscores the role of organic farming in promoting genetic diversity and sustainability, while also addressing the challenges of disease resistance and environmental stress.
This research contributes to ongoing efforts to optimize organic breeding methods and supports the broader goal of strengthening organic agriculture through scientific advancements. The findings serve as a valuable resource for farmers, breeders, and policymakers seeking to enhance organic crop production and sustainability.
According to the author, “This study aimed to inform variety trial and plant breeding efforts to improve carrot productivity in organic systems in the US. The study was a component of the broader USDA-funded project, Carrot Improvement for Organic Agriculture (CIOA), that investigated priority traits for organic systems including pest and disease resistance, market qualities, and nutrition. It is often assumed that evaluating breeding lines in an organically managed environment is essential to maximize gains from selection for traits associated with adaptation in organic systems. However, no previous studies had compared performance under organic and conventional systems in carrot in the Midwest, a target environment of the CIOA project. The project aimed to expand organically available varieties of both open pollinated and hybrids as well as improve agronomic and market qualities of novel-colored carrots. For this reason, we included a wide diversity of genotypes including USDA breeding lines as well as commercially available open pollinated and hybrid varieties. The outcome of the study indicated that testing and selection under organic conditions is preferable when feasible, but as is often the case, results varied across the range of genotypes tested. The authors hope this study will inspire similar studies under diverse locations to further inform plant breeders and seed companies working to expand the diversity and quality of organic carrots for farmers and eaters alike.”
Dr. Colley is Assistant Professor of Participatory Plant Breeding at Washington State University. Her work focuses on developing buckwheat and carrot for organic systems and culinary quality.
The full article can be found on the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science electronic journal website at: https://doi.org/10.21273/JASHS05459-24
Established in 1903, the American Society for Horticultural Science is recognized around the world as one of the most respected and influential professional societies for horticultural scientists. ASHS is committed to promoting and encouraging national and international interest in scientific research and education in all branches of horticulture.
Comprised of thousands of members worldwide, ASHS represents a broad cross-section of the horticultural community-scientists, educators, students, landscape and turf managers, government, extension agents and industry professionals. ASHS members focus on practices and problems in horticulture: breeding, propagation, production and management, harvesting, handling and storage, processing, marketing and use of horticultural plants and products. To learn more, visit ashs.org.
https://ashs.org/news/news.asp?id=702362