Effect of planting date on postharvest quality of roots of different carrot cultivars grown in the Brazilian semiarid region

ABSTRACT In regions with high temperatures, carrot cultivation is difficult because high temperatures tend to reduce the size and pigmentation of the root and, consequently, the yield and quality of the product. However, with the advent of summer cultivars, the cultivation of quality carrots under high temperatures has been viable. The aim of this work was to evaluate the postharvest quality of ten carrot cultivars as a function of different planting dates. The experiments were carried out on the Rafael Fernandes Experimental Farm of the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA). Four experiments were carried out in May, June, July and August 2017. The experimental design was a randomized block with ten treatments and four replications. The following was evaluated: white halo percentage, soluble solids content, total soluble sugars, total titratable acidity, soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio and beta-carotene content. The interaction between the carrot cultivars and planting date had a significant influence on the postharvest quality of carrot roots. The hybrid cultivars had an overall better post-harvest quality. The carrots sown in July had better quality traits; however, they were more affected by the “white halo” disorder.