Effect of umbel shape on root characters and subsequent seed yield in Asiatic carrot (Daucus carota)

Abstract

The effect of different seed umbel shapes on root characters and seed yield of the subsequent crop was studied in Asiatic carrot  variety 'Pusa kesar'. In two consecu(ive crop seasons, umbels of different shapes. namely nat, cup and of both primary an secondary orders were collected from a seed plot and seeds threshed ancl processed separately. he seeds from open or flat type umbels were superior in quality to seeds from other types in both orders and also for the root characters of the subsequent crop. The C V for root characters (fresh weight, length and maximum diameter) was minimum for plants raised from flat type umbels. In the seed crop raised from these roots, irrespective at umbel shapes, in primary order, the plants giving rise to flat type of umbels were higher compnred with the secondary order. Irrespective of umbel order, there was higher frequency of flat type umbels in the crop raised from sceds of flat shaped umbels. Seeds from flat shaped primary and secondary umbels gave higher yield of better quality. Therefore, the seed quality of Asiatic carrot variety 'Pusa Kesar' can be improved through selection of flat type umbels.