Issuu

Advances in carrot postharvest News in research based on papers published during 2025 Alicia Namesny Postharvest.biz

wwww.bibliotecahorticultura.com

2026

Advances in carrot postharvest News in research based on papers published during 2025

Alicia Namesny info@poscosecha.com

Postharvest.biz

Contents 1. Introduction............................................................................................................................... 1 2. Postharvest Quality and Shelf-Life Performance of Nineteen Carrot Genotypes..................... 1 3. Fungal species prevalent in Finland causing postharvest losses in carrot ................................ 2 4. Potential of lactic acid bacteria and carrot isolates as postharvest disease control agents in carrots ........................................................................................................................................... 2 5. Endogenous laserine-type phenylpropanoids in carrots protect against fungi ........................ 3 6. Higher soil microbial diversity in the rhizosphere was associated with higher postharvest storability in carrots ...................................................................................................................... 3 7. Chicken manure fertilization, the best results both in production and postharvest behaviour ....................................................................................................................................................... 4 8. Citric acid without ultrasounds, enough to preserve postharvest carrot quality ..................... 4 9. Maximization of pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest handling as an effort to maintain wotel quality.................................................................................................................................. 5

Esta obra está bajo una licencia de Creative Commons ReconocimientoNoComercial-SinObraDerivada 4.0 Internacional (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

Vegetables

1. Introduction The carrot, Daucus carota, is the most widely produced root vegetable in the world, and its market is one of the most stable within the fruit and vegetable sector, although it has faced significant climate challenges in the last two years (2024-2025), especially in Europe and North Africa. The trade in root vegetables (where the carrot is a key player) generated more than $3 billion in 2024. China is the leading producer, with an estimated annual volume of 40 million tons, representing between 40 and 50% of global production. Uzbekistan, Russia, and the United States follow. Due to droughts in the Northern Hemisphere, a slight shift in production toward the Southern Hemisphere was observed in 2024/2025. The main players in carrot exports are China, the Netherlands, and Spain, with the Netherlands primarily acting as a logistics hub, re-exporting produce from other origins. The main importers are Germany, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Global consumption is on the rise due to the perception of carrots as a "superfood" rich in betacarotene. Per capita consumption varies drastically, being very high in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (where it is a staple food), averaging around 10-12 kg per person/year in developed countries. Below are advances in post-harvest handling based on studies published during 2025.

2. Postharvest Quality and Shelf-Life Performance of Nineteen Carrot Genotypes The experiment by Anjum et al. (2025) was conducted at the Postharvest Laboratory of the Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period from February-March 2024 to study performance of postharvest quality and shelf life of the nineteen carrot genotypes namely Kuroda, New Kuroda, Kuroda 35, King Kuroda, Shin Kuroda, Kuroda Improved, Shidur, Pusha Keshor, Bankim Keshor, Orange HYV, Brasilia 2007, BAU Gazor 5, Brasilia Agroflora, Prima Agroflora, Gazor lovely, Autumn King 2, Nantes 5, 16ˊB114-1 and 21408B. Origin of the seeds: • • • • •

Kuroda Line, Sakata / Takii / Tokita (Japan) Brasilia Line, EMBRAPA / Sakata Sudamerica (Brazil) Pusa Kesar, IARI (India) BAU Gazor, Bangladesh Agricultural University Nantes / Autumn King, European Origin (Vilmorin / Kings Seeds)

Results revealed that carrot genotypes significantly influenced all the parameters under study. The maximum dry matter content (13.39 %) and TSS content (23.27 % ºBrix) were obtained from Pusha Keshor and 21408B, respectively.

www.bibliotecahorticultura.com

Advances in carrot postharvest

The minimum weight loss (14.19 %) was observed in Gazor lovely while the maximum weight loss (42.25 %) was recorded in 21408B. The highest disease incidence (66.67 %) was recorded in Orange HYV, whereas the maximum disease severity (66.52 %) was observed in 21408B, and no disease incidence was recorded in Kuroda 35. The longest shelf life (12.14 days) was observed in Kuroda 35 while the shortest (7.08 days) was observed in Orange HYV. Therefore, it can be concluded that Kuroda 35 was found to be better in respect of postharvest quality and shelf life compared to the other carrot genotypes.

3. Fungal species prevalent in Finland causing postharvest losses in carrot Post-harvest diseases cause significant economic losses in the carrot production chain. In the study by Latvala et al. (2024) storage losses and fungal pathogens causing them were analysed in the carrot yield from 52 different field plots in four areas in Finland in 3 years (2016–2018). Over 30,000 carrots were sampled and analysed at three time points during cold storage at 0–1 °C. In March, after 5–6 months' storage, the average loss due to diseases was 20 %–21 % every year. Decay of the root tip was the most common disease symptom, followed by pits on the side and black rot in the crown, detected in 69.2 %, 15.0 % and 9.0 % of the symptomatic samples, respectively. Both intensive carrot cultivation practice and early timing of harvest increased storage losses. Pathogens in 3057 symptomatic carrot tissue samples were isolated by culturing, and fungal species were identified. The most common fungal species detected were Mycocentrospora acerina, Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium spp., especially F. avenaceum. However, the frequency of different pathogens varied between the different years and time points during storage. Species-specific PCR tests revealed that M. acerina and F. avenaceum were present in many early time-point samples where they could not yet be detected by the culturing method. In Finland, this study on carrot post-harvest diseases is the first large-scale survey in which the fungal pathogens were isolated and identified by laboratory tests. In comparison with the previous studies, Fusarium spp. were detected more frequently in this study, while grey mould and Sclerotinia rot were less frequent.

4. Potential of lactic acid bacteria and carrot isolates as postharvest disease control agents in carrots Carrot production is challenged by various phytopathogens, including Berkeleyomyces basicola, responsible for black root rot. Current control measures are limited, prompting interest in sustainable biopreservation approaches leveraging beneficial microorganisms. The study by Louviot et al. (2025) evaluated the biopreservation potential of several lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains from the Agroscope Culture Collection and bacteria newly isolated from

www.bibliotecahorticultura.com

Vegetables

carrots against B. basicola and other carrot phytopathogens, namely Alternaria radicina, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Results highlighted the superior performance of strains isolated from carrots, including Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Serratia plymuthica and Raoultella terrigena in inhibiting B. basicola mycelial growth and spore germination compared to the previously isolated LAB strains from the Agroscope Culture Collection. Interestingly, non-LAB strains, particularly Serratia plymuthica Sp1, exhibited broad-spectrum antifungal activity and sustained protection of carrots while used as postharvest treatment. These findings emphasize the value of exploring the microbiota of the host plant to be protected to find new agents suitable for biocontrol solutions. While LAB strains showed promising results in in vitro assays, S. plymuthica Sp1 emerged as a highly effective candidate for postharvest disease management. Future research should focus on optimizing the application and formulation of S. plymuthica for large-scale use, ensuring its compatibility with diverse carrot varieties and storage environments.

5. Endogenous laserine-type phenylpropanoids in carrots protect against fungi Laserine-type phenylpropanoids are a main group of natural bitter compounds synthesized in carrot taproots and putatively contribute to defence mechanisms against soil-borne pathogens. In the study by He & Dunemann (2025), they analysed the relationships between the constitutive levels of two laserine compounds present in mature taproots and the extent of root infection by the two main carrot storage fungal pathogens Mycocentrospora acerina and Botrytis cinerea. Taproots of eight carrot cultivars exhibiting different levels of laserine and its isomer 2epilaserine in the taproot periderm were inoculated with the two fungi and evaluated for diseased area with a digital image analysis system after 6 weeks incubation in a cold storage facility. The concentrations of the two phenylpropanoids showed a significant negative correlation with M. acerina and B. cinerea disease severity. We present, to our knowledge for the first time, novel insights about putative effects of laserine compounds against soil-borne fungal carrot pathogens.

6. Higher soil microbial diversity in the rhizosphere was associated with higher postharvest storability in carrots Postharvest diseases can cause significant losses in carrot (Daucus carota) yield during storage. In the study by Velmala et al. (2025) the effects of soil quality and microbial diversity in the field bulk soil and rhizosphere on the development of postharvest diseases were investigated. Microbial genera in bulk soil and rhizosphere samples were identified by Illumina Miseq amplicon sequencing of bacterial 16S and fungal ITS regions. Disease symptoms in the stored carrots were monitored after six months of cold storage, and the main pathogens were identified. www.bibliotecahorticultura.com

Advances in carrot postharvest

The field sites with mineral soils, which had a higher pH, had a higher bacterial and fungal diversity than organic soils. The organically managed fields had a higher bacterial diversity than the conventionally managed fields. Community structure of both bacteria and fungi was largely driven by field site including its main chemical characteristics, with rhizosphere and bulk soil samples from the same site displaying comparable assemblages. Higher soil microbial diversity was associated with higher postharvest storability in the stored carrots. The weather during the growing season also had an effect on the observed fungal biodiversity, which was higher at sites that had lower temperatures and less rain prior to harvest.

7. Chicken manure fertilization, the best results both in production and postharvest behaviour Inadequate cultivation practices of carrots often result in lower yields. Proper soil fertilization combined with a good choice of variety can contribute to both qualitative and quantitative optimization of carrot production. Although several works have been carried out on carrots, there is still a lack of information regarding the influence of the types and doses of fertilizers applied in the field by farmers in Cameroon on yield and post-harvest shelf-life of the most frequently grown carrot varieties. The study by Tonfack Djoufack et al. (2023) aimed to determine the interactions between carrot variety and fertilization on the yield attributes and post-harvest conservation of carrots. Nine treatments involving individual and combined applications of chemical fertilizer (NPK: 2010-10) and chicken manure were tested on five carrot varieties (New Kuroda, Pamela+, Madona, Amazonia, and Vanessa F1) in a split-split plot design with three replications. Yield variables were measured after 110 days of experimentation, followed by measurement of post-harvest shelflife for thirty days. The best yield was obtained with 10 t ha−1 chicken manure. The variety Pamela+ was the most productive. This fertilizer/variety combination was identified as the best interaction for achieving optimal performance. The maximum storage time observed was 20 days. Application of chicken manure at 5 t ha−1 and 10 t ha−1 and the variety Vanessa F1 were associated with low percentages of deterioration. The best shelf-life was achieved with the variety Vanessa F1 fertilized with 5 t ha−1 of chicken manure, which showed the lowest deterioration (8.33 % after 20 days of storage).

8. Citric acid without ultrasounds, enough to preserve postharvest carrot quality The promising potential of organic agents in elevating food preservation during the minimal processing of fruits and vegetables has surfaced as a notable trajectory. The objective of the paper by Sánchez et al. (2025) was to evaluate the effectiveness of citric acid and ultrasounds power during carrot sanitization considering various acid concentration and exposition times.

www.bibliotecahorticultura.com

Vegetables

To this end, optimization and mathematical modeling tools are employed to assess the implementation of ultrasound technology (US) and citric acid for improved carrot preservation, considering both economic and environmental perspectives. The foregoing is based on an Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Programming (MINLP) optimization problem which allows the selection of which conditions of citric acid concentration and ultrasound time are economically suitable as well as the evaluation of their environmental impact. The model and optimization were generated from experimental data obtained at different sanitization treatments of carrots with citric acid (150, 400, and 900 ppm for 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min) in static and Ultrasound baths. Citric acid content, color parameters, and growth of microorganisms in the carrots during storage at 4 °C (days 0, 3, 6, and 9) were evaluated. The citric acid and moisture content in carrots increased with the concentration of citric acid in sanitizing solution. Ultrasound increased the citric acid content in carrots by up to 17 %, particularly during the treatment process. However, the optimization results showed that, at 900 ppm of citric acid, both with and without ultrasound technology, similar improvements in shelf life were observed, including lower microbial loads and reduced color changes up to the sixth day of storage. However, the use of US technology increased the cost and environmental impact.

9. Maximization of pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest handling as an effort to maintain wotel quality To produce good quality carrots, it is necessary to carry out good pre-harvest and post-harvest activities, so that the nutritional content of carrots can be maintained properly. However, it should be noted that many pre-harvest and post-harvest activities are not right, resulting in poor quality carrots. Therefore, the purpose of the review by Wahyudi & Pangaribuanis (2025) is to find out the right pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest activities to maintain the quality of carrots. This review is sourced from various journals, books and relevant articles. Pre-harvest activities that need to be considered include providing the right nutrition, determining the time of harvest and good harvest handling activities. Proper post-harvest activities can produce long shelf life and maintain the nutritional content of carrots. Regular consumption of carrots can maintain body health because the nutritional content of carrots is good for the body. This text is the abstract, and the paper is in Bahasa Indonesia language.

www.bibliotecahorticultura.com

Advances in carrot postharvest

References Anjum, N., Rashid, M. H. A., Rabbani, M. G., & Tuz-Zahura, M. F. (2025). Postharvest quality and shelf-life performance of nineteen carrot genotypes. Research in Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries, 12(1), 121–135. https://banglajol.info/index.php/RALF/article/view/81425 Gemini. (s. f.). Information about production, consumption, and trade. He, W., & Dunemann, F. (2025). Influence of endogenous laserine-type phenylpropanoids in carrots on post-harvest fungal pathogens Mycocentrospora acerina and Botrytis cinerea. European Journal of Plant Pathology, 172, 367–371. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-025-03007-2 Latvala, S., Haapalainen, M., Karisto, P., Kivijärvi, P., Jääskeläinen, O., & Suojala-Ahlfors, T. (2024). Changes in the prevalence of fungal species causing post-harvest diseases of carrot in Finland. Annals of Applied Biology. https://doi.org/10.1111/aab.12908 Louviot, F., Zufferey, M., Arias-Roth, E., Weisskopf, L., & Eugster, E. (2025). Exploring the potential of lactic acid bacteria and carrot isolates as postharvest disease control agents in carrots. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 22, 102053. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2025.102053 Sánchez, A., Ramírez-Márquez, C., Sánchez-Ramírez, E., Segovia-Hernández, J. G., & CerónGarcía, A. (2025). Effect of ultrasound for postharvest preservation of carrot from an economic and environmental perspective: Experimentation and deterministic optimization. Food and Bioproducts Processing, 150, 217–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbp.2025.01.012 Tonfack Djoufack, M. M., Kouam, E. B., Anoumaa, M., Kouam Foko, E. M., Lontsi Meli, G. R., Kaktcham, P. M., & Ngoufack Zambou, F. (2023). Chicken manure, chemical fertilizer and their combination affect yield and post-harvest shelf-life of carrot (Daucus carota L.). Academia Biology, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.20935/AcadBiol7670 Velmala, S., Pennanen, T., Haapalainen, M., Karisto, P., Latvala, S., Pirhonen, M., & SuojalaAhlfors, T. (2025). High microbial diversity in the rhizosphere and soil improve carrot (Daucus carota L.) postharvest storability. bioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.64898/2025.12.02.691807 Wahyudi, & Pangaribuan, D. H. (2025). Maximization of pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest handling as an effort to maintain carrot quality. Agrisaintifika: Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Pertanian, 9(1), 83–91. https://doi.org/10.32585/ags.v9i1.6119

www.bibliotecahorticultura.com

ESPECIALISTES EN SERVEIS PER A LA PRODUCCIÓ EDITORIAL, SL Doctor Manuel Candela 26, 11ª 46021 VALENCIA – ESPAÑA Tel.: +34-649 48 56 77 / info@poscosecha.com NIF: B-43458744

www.poscosecha.com www.postharvest.biz www.bibliotecahorticultura.com www.tecnologiahorticola.com www.actualfruveg.com