Evaluation of turnip-rooted parsley (Petroselinum crispum ssp. tuberosum) for root and foliage production under a warm, Mediterranean climate

Two experiments were undertaken in southern Greece during 2000–2002 in which turnip-rooted parsley was tested for its suitability for cultivation in comparison with locally grown curly-leafed and plain-leafed forms. Plants were harvested when the foliage was acceptable for marketing, rather than on completion of the vegetative cycle, hence root size was relatively small. In year 1, the foliage development of plain-leafed parsley was significantly higher than that of the other two forms, irrespective of sowing date. In year 2, both plain-leafed and curly-leafed parsley produced more foliage than turnip-rooted parsley in the early sowing (November), but not in subsequent sowings (December and February). During both years, root development was higher in turnip-rooted parsley than in curly-leafed parsley, although in the November and February sowings of year 1 the root weight of both plain-leafed and turnip-rooted forms were similar. In all three types of parsley, foliage yield fell off significantly in the spring sowing (February), and in year 1 there was a considerable decrease in root production as well. In most cultivars, foliage weight was higher when plants were grown from transplanted seedlings rather than by direct sowing, whereas the effect of sowing method on root weight was sowing date dependent. Cultivar differences in the foliage weight of direct sown and transplanted plants were reflected by differences in plant height and, in some cases, by leaf number. It is concluded that although overall turnip-rooted parsley produced rather less foliage than that plain-leafed parsley, this was compensated for by the satisfactory production of roots and therefore turnip-rooted cultivars may constitute a suitable crop for introduction to the Mediterranean region.