Carrot Seed Production
Carrot seed production in South Africa is a one-year process, classified as the seed–seedling–seed method. This approach allows plant material to be selected before transplanting.
Nov - Dec
Receiving stock seed
FEB
Sowing stock seed
MAR - MAY
Vegetative development
JUN/JUL
Transplanting
AUG - OCT
Vegetative growth
NOV/DEC
Flowering & seed set
JAN/FEB
Harvesting & drying
FEB/MAR
Threshing & cleaning
APR/MAY
Packing & export
Nov - Dec
November/December
Receiving Stock Seed
The amount of stock seed needed is calculated on the following factors:
- Stock seed germination
- Stock seed TSW
- Method of sowing
Feb
February
Sowing Stock Seed
- Sowing of stock seed can be done in open-field or nursery
Jun - Jul
June/July
Transplanting of Seedlings
- All transplanting is done by hand
Nov - Dec
November/December
Flowering & Seed set
- Bees are used for pollination purposes
Jan - Feb
January/February
Harvesting & Drying
- All harvesting is done by hand, with multiple harvests (2–3 times)
Feb - Mar
February/March
Threshing & Cleaning
- Umbels are placed on forced wind till ready for threshing and seed is delivered to KKSP facility in bulk bags for final cleaning and quality control
Apr - May
April/May
Packing & Export
Packing can be done in either:
- Polypropylene bags with plastic liners
- Alpals
- Octabins