Drought stress effects on morphophysiological and quality characteristics of commercial carrot cultivars

The effects of drought stress on plant growth and development are getting more pronounced due to increasing influence climate change environmental stresses. Current study was devised explore the eight commercial carrot cultivars, having different root colors as a base for further studies understand response carrot. Drought 10 days applied plants at taproot formation stage in semicontrolled greenhouse. results revealed that orange yellow colored cultivars exhibited least decline physiological functioning (relative water contents dry matter) assisted maintaining higher yield quality attributes contrast purple black cultivars. However, anthocyanin nonpurple Tendersweet Solar Yellow showed 72% decrease, whereas 3-fold increase observed Eregli Black Cosmic Purple. Beta-carotene 59% decrease cultivar under drought; however, it increased Coral Orange by 17% 3%, respectively. Sugar accumulation variable cultivars; minimal sucrose Purple, were detected after they subjected drought. Overall, Atomic Red performed well scarce condition. We believe this may help researchers move forward understanding selection promising be used tolerant varieties with breeding strategies.