Maturity Signs and Harvesting of Carrot and Radish
Maturity Sings of Carrot:
1. Depending upon variety carrot become ready for harvesting within 100 to 120 days from sowing.
2. Depending in the variety, the desired size is the primary consideration in harvesting the roots.
3. Oversized roots are not acceptable.
4. Generally small to medium sized carrots are preferred.
5. At marketable stage carrots should have at least 2.5 to 4 cm diameter at the upper end.
Harvesting of Carrot:
Early carrots for the market are pulled out when they partly developed. They are normally du out, when the soil is sufficient moist with spade or a khurpi. The roots are trimmed and washed before sending them to the market.
Maturity Sings of Radish:
1. European type is ready for harvesting within 30 days from sowing and Asiatic type within 45 to 60 days from sowing.
2. At this stage roots are mild, tender and crisp and usually of the proper marketable size.
3. Roots must be harvested before they become pithy, bitter and fibrous.
Harvesting of Radish:
In India, harvesting is done manually. A light irrigation may be given before harvesting to facilitate lifting of roots. The roots are washed, graded and tied in bunches. In advanced countries, commercial radish growers use a single row harvester that pulls the plants from the soil.