Botany

• Fleshy edible tap root portion as conical root botanically.
• Annual herb for fresh root production and biennial for seed production
• Shape of root vary from small top to long conical
• Color of flesh may be white, yellow, orange, red, purple or dark purple
• The inflorescence is compound umbel.
• It is cross pollinated crop with bisexual flowers

A. Asian types :

• Produce root and seed freely in relatively warmer climate, root becomes conical, require high temperature for normal growth, Root end is wedge-shaped root with tapering end.
• Deep reddish orange colored roots, can produce seeds in the plain, roots are juicer and have bigger cone, they have more anthocyanin pigment, late grown type., no chilling requirement for seed production

B. European types :

• Produce root in cool climate and need lower temperature, root becomes blunt and stump, less juicy, rich in carotene pigment, orange in color, grown as late cultivar, chilling requirement is most for seed production , Early maturing and have high sugar content, require low temperature for normal growth.