b'Arwa Shahin, global crop manager forBejo takes the multi-type approach carrot at BASF | Nunhems, emphasises aeven further. Our assortment spans balance between broad agronomic per- early to late Nantes, Imperator, Flakkee, formance and type-specific excellence.Berlicum, Amsterdam, Chantenay, Across all carrot types, our core targetsKuroda, and colored carrots, says Fasola. include durable disease resistance, highWe tailor breeding goals for each seg-and economical yield, resistance to split- menttaste and appearance for the ting and wash cracking, reliable seed pro- fresh market, and uniformity, color, and duction, bolting resistance, and suitabilitydry matter for processing.for mechanised harvesting.She adds that specific priorities differA World Beyond Orangeby type: For Nantes, we focus on fieldOrange may still dominate, but the color and storage robustness and smooth rootpalette of carrots is widening fast. Shahin finish; for Imperator, its all about eatingconfirms: Demand for colored carrotsRik Wittink, carrot breeder at Bakker qualityflavor, sweetness, and color.purple, yellow, red, white, and bi-colorBrothers.At Bejo, head of root crops Mathieu is growing in snacking formats and Fasola summarises their mission as reli- as natural pigment sources for the food ability and quality across the value chain.industry.Bejos objectives include high yield andYet the path to commercial success uniformity, strong foliage for mechani- isnt easy. The main challenge is bringing cal harvesting, excellent storability, andcolored germplasm up to the same stand-resistance to major diseases such asards as orange carrotsin yield, uniform-Alternaria, cavity spot, powdery mildew,ity, storability, and disease tolerance, and nematodes. We validate our goalsshe says. Genetic linkages mean certain through extensive global trial fields tocolor traits can come with drawbacks like ensure consistent performance underweaker bolting resistance.very different growing conditions, heTo address this, BASF runs dedicated notes. breeding pipelines for each color class, ensuring pigment traits progress without Breeding by Carrot Type slowing the main orange programs. Strict Every carrot typefrom long Imperatorsisolation distances and rigorous rogueing to compact Chantenaysbrings its ownprotect purity during seed production.Anatolii Yanchuk, crop manager at Bakker market logic and agronomic demands.Breeding for colored carrots isBrothers.While all share foundational goals likecomplex and time-consuming, Shahin yield and bolting resistance, explainsconcedes, but the potential rewards are Shahin, each type also has distinctgoodmarket priorities. Our strategy combines universal performance with targetedCoping with Climate Changeinnovation. All five companies agree that climate For Imperator types destined for cut- volatility is reshaping carrot breeding and-peel markets, BASF focuses on deeppriorities. Changing weather conditions orange color, uniformity, crisp texture,increasingly influence our strategies, and long-distance storability. For Nantes,says Yanchuk. By running carrot trials uniform shoulders, blunt tips, resistancein Egypt and Tanzania, we can identify to cracking, and field-holding strength aregenotypes that tolerate heat, drought, crucial. Other types, have their own traitand soil stressresilience is now a key packages, she says. breeding target.Yanchuk notes that while NantesRudie Steentjes, breeding manager remains their cornerstone, they arecarrot breeding at Bejo, describes his expanding into Chantenay and other seg- companys response as a full-spectrum ments to address emerging markets suchapproach: We screen early generations as India and Mexico. for drought and heat tolerance, test in Laura Maupin, Bayer carrot breeder.FEBRUARY 2026SEEDWORLD.COM /41'