by When harvesting carrots, you may sometimes notice that the top of some of the roots has emerged from the ground and turned green. Such carrots taste bitter and unpleasant. Is it harmful to eat them?
From a biological point of view, there is nothing unusual about carrot greening: it is the transformation of red, orange and yellow plastids (chromoplasts) into green ones (chloroplasts).
The latter are actively involved in the process of photosynthesis. Their benefit is that they transform light, water and carbon dioxide into nutrients. But chloroplasts also have a significant disadvantage: in response to stressful situations, such as drought, they contribute to the production of harmful active forms of oxygen.
Scientists became interested in the phenomenon of green carrots back in the late 19th century. The process of changing the color of carrots was called reversible transformation of carrot plastids.
Are green carrots poisonous?
Some gardeners believe that carrots with green tops are poisonous. In fact, this is not true, because the green color of the vegetable is given by ordinary chlorophyll. So such carrots will not harm your health in any way. Another thing is that it is unpleasant to eat because of the bitterness. Therefore, it is up to you to decide whether to eat such root vegetables or not.
Why do carrot roots turn green?
The main reason carrots turn green is due to exposure to sunlight. But this is not the only reason.
- The top of the carrot changes color when the carrot has an elongated shape (usually this is typical for certain varieties, such as carrots Nantes or Flaccus).
- Fruits that protrude too much from the ground can also turn green. This happens after watering, when the soil is washed out or settles.
- By choosing carrot varieties or hybrids that are not resistant to greening of the top of the root crop, you cannot be sure that the harvest will be completely ideal.
- Carrots can turn green due to mechanical damage during soil cultivation around the plants. This also applies to stressful situations for this vegetable.
How to prevent carrots from turning green?
Of course, if the carrots have already turned green, it will not be possible to return them to their previous color. But you can insure yourself against such a development in the future if you do not neglect the rules of agricultural technology.
- When choosing carrot seeds, give preference to varieties and hybrids that are resistant to greening of the top. These include: Red Core, Shantenay, Langeswith Fruitful, Natofi, Aneta F1, Napoli F1, Fiona F1.
- Mulch the plantings with straw in a layer of 10-15 cm.
- At the end of August – beginning of September, do not forget to hill up the carrots 3-5 cm above the soil level.
- When loosening the space between rows, try not to touch the plants or the soil within a radius of 10 cm from them.
All these measures will help protect carrots from possible stressful situations. This means that the harvest will not turn green. Try to fulfill all the listed requirements, and then all the root crops will be smooth, beautiful and orange.
