Agriculture

Carrots are grown worldwide in regions with a moderate to subtropical climate. In 2005, 23.9 million tons were harvested. The main producing countries are China, Russia, and the USA. In Europe, carrots are mainly cultivated in Poland, England, Italy and Germany.

Utilisation

Carrots are rich in dietary fibres, minerals and fat-soluble beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A (retinol). Carrots owe their characteristic aroma to certain ethereal oils.

Carrots are consumed as:

• a raw or cooked vegetable
• processed to juice, tinned or pickled, in convenience foods and as baby food

Gene technology: Aims of research and development

Agronomic traits

Resistance against pathogens

• Fungal resistance

Resistance to pests

• Nematode resistance

Weed control

• Herbicide tolerance

Quality traits

• Conservation of the firm consistency of sliced packed products, improved nutrient quality

• increased calcium content

Renewable primary products

Production of pharmaceutically active substances

• Formation of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase as substitute material in the metabolic Gaucher's disease

Field trials with GM carrots