Ezhou Red Carrot

Ezhou Red Carrot

Ezhou Red Carrot is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Ezhou Red Carrot is a specialty of Echeng District, Ezhou City, Hubei Province.

　　The production area of "Ezhou Red Carrot" is located in the suburban areas of Echeng District, including towns such as Yangye, Zelin, Xinmiao, and Shawo. Ezhou Red Carrot is an important and well-known vegetable product of Ezhou. The soil in the production area is fertile, with organic matter content exceeding 3%. The soil layer is deep, with an active soil layer of over 100 cm, groundwater level below 1 m, and soil pH value between 5.5 and 7.5, which is highly conducive to the growth of red carrots. The average annual temperature in the production area of Ezhou Red Carrot is 15°C–23°C, with annual rainfall of 800–2000 mm. The frost-free period lasts 200–360 days, the altitude is below 300 m, and the accumulated temperature ranges from 4250°C to 7000°C.

　　 The unique geographical environment and climatic characteristics determine the distinctive qualities of Ezhou Red Carrot that set it apart from other carrot varieties. Ezhou Red Carrot is a semi-hardy vegetable, with an optimal germination temperature of 20–25°C, and optimal growing temperatures of 18–23°C during the day and 13–18°C at night. Its vegetative growth period lasts 120 days, with about 10 days for germination, 25 days for the seedling stage, and around 30 days for vigorous leaf growth. The leaf cluster of Ezhou Red Carrot is open, with leaves measuring 25–40 cm in length and 7 cm in width, dark green in color, and the petioles are slightly hairy. The fleshy root is cylindrical, with a broad and bluntly rounded tail, smaller at the top and larger at the bottom, approximately 10 cm in length and 2–4 cm in diameter. The skin is smooth, with the flesh being orange-red, and the core is relatively thin. A cross-section between the core and the skin shows a ring of yellow ripples. The fleshy root has four lateral root eyes on the skin, and weighs 100–200 grams per unit. "Ezhou Red Carrot" grows in deep sandy soil with soil moisture at 60–80% of field capacity. It is generally sown in summer and autumn, and harvested in autumn and winter. After consumption and digestion, it breaks down into vitamin A, which helps prevent night blindness and respiratory diseases, and also promotes children’s growth. Additionally, it contains abundant minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron. Ezhou Red Carrot is highly nutritious, with most of its nutrients being non-nitrogenous extractives, along with sucrose and fructose, giving it a sweet taste. It also has a higher protein content compared to other tuber crops. Its carotene content is especially rich, surpassing that of common forage crops. Ezhou Red Carrot also contains large amounts of potassium salts, phosphorus salts, and iron salts.