Carrot is considered a root vegetable because it has a horn like shape. It comes in different colors like red, white, and yellow varieties. However, most varieties come in an orange colour. A fresh carrot has a crisp texture. Its taproot is commonly eaten as it contains a high concentration of vitamins. However, the green portions can also be eaten (Rose, 1).
Silverbeet has a range of colors and leaf textures. Its stem colors and plant sizes also differ among the varieties, which include Success, Fordhook Master, Fordhook giant, and Compacta Slo Bolt which are all dark green. These varieties have different growing seasons, height, and leaf colors (Wade, 2).
Botanical names of Carrot and Silverbeet
Carrot’s generic name is Daucus and specific name is carota. Its scientific name is therefore Daucus carota subsp. sativus (Rose, 2). Silverbeet, at times called Swiss chard, is known scientifically as Beta vulgaris. It is categorized under the L. Cicla group (Wade, 1).
Background of Carrot and Silverbeet
Initially, carrots were never grown for consumption of their roots but were grown for their aromatic leaves and seeds. This tradition dates back to the 1st century. Carrot that is currently grown was introduced into Europe between the 8th and the 10th century. The orange colored variety appeared in the Netherlands in the 17thn century. John Aubrey intimated in his memoranda that carrots were first sown in Beckington. Wild ancestors of carrot are thought to have come from Iran and Afghanistan that is considered the center of diversity of the wild carrot. Selective breeding of the wild sub species has managed to reduce the bitterness, increase sweetness, and reduce the percentage of the woody core. In the springs and summer, carrot grows a rosette of leaves as it builds up the stout taproot. It is in the taproot where large amounts of sugars are stored (Rose, 3).
Silverbeet is mainly grown as a leaf vegetable. Whereas its leaves can be eaten like those of spinach, its stems can also be cooked. It bears a lot of semblance with spinach. However, it has large, coarse, and mild tasting leaves. Unlike spinach, it can tolerate cold, heat, drought, and disease. Nevertheless, Silverbeet and spinach belong to the Chenopodiaceae family where a majority of root vegetable beetroot belong. Originally grown in Portugal, Spain, and the Mediterranean islands, silverbeet has today spread to Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, among other countries (Wade, 2).
Why carrot and Silverbeet are grown
Carrot is grown because of its nutritional value to humans. It has beta-carotene that is normally metabolized into Vitamin A that helps in maintaining good vision. Apart from that, it also has dietary fiber, antioxidants, and minerals (Rose, 4).
Silverbeet is good for human consumption because it is low in saturated fat and cholesterol. It has high dietary fiber and contains vitamins A, C, E, and K. It is also rich in calcium, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus. These nutrients make it ideal for weight loss and maintenance of optimum health (Wade, 3).
Growing season
Growing season for Silverbeet keeps changing depending on the varieties. For instance, Compacta Slo Bolt is grown between the 10th and 14th weeks of the year while Fordhook giant, Fordhook master, and Success are grown between the 9th and 10th weeks (Wade, 3). Carrot should be grown in seasons with full sun when they grow best (Rose 3).
Crop distribution
Silverbeet can grow in wide range of climatic conditions including sub-tropical, temperate, and cold temperature climates (Wade 1). However, it grows best in coastal regions. Carrot grows best in regions with shady areas with full sun (Rose 2).
Pest and disease
Carrot is affected by a series of bacterial, viral, fungal, nematodes, and parasitic infections. These include bacterial leaf blight, alternaria leaf blight, cyst nematodes, and alfalfa mosaic (Rose, 2). Pest and diseases that affect Silverbeet include cercospora leaf spot and beet webworm moth (Wade, 3).
Management practices
Silverbeet should be harvested using gloves to curtail cuts and abrasions that may increase the chances of a disease being transferred from one plant to the other mechanically. Because carrots are affected by a number of disease-causing agents, care has to be taken to ensure that both preventive and curative measures are taken to avoid losses attributed to disease infection.
Works Cited
Rose, Francis. The Wild Flower Key. London: Fredrick Warne, 2006. Print.
Wade, Stephen. Silverbeet growing: Prime Facts. 2011. Web.