Mark Hutton, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Vegetable Specialist David Handley, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist Peyton Ginakes, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Research Associate
Parsnips (Pastinaca sativa) are a root vegetable in the Apiaceae family commonly grown in the Northeast as a winter storage crop. In 2022, ten parsnip cultivars were evaluated for yield potential and horticultural characteristics at the University of Maine’s Highmoor Farm in Monmouth, Maine.
The field culture of parsnips is very similar to that of carrots. Prior to seeding, 500 lb/acre of 10-10-10 fertilizer was incorporated into the field, and plots were arranged according to a randomized complete block design with four replications. Parsnips were direct-seeded into flat ground on June 10 using a two-row Jang push seeder fitted with LJ-10 rollers and a 14/9 sprocket gearing. Rows were 12” apart and beds were 42” on center, and no supplemental irrigation was provided. Plots were flame-weeded five days after seeding and hand weeded thereafter, as needed, to mitigate crop-weed competition. About one month after seeding, plots were thinned to approximately 12-15 plants per foot.
Figure 1. Parsnips on August 28, 2022 (79 days after seeding), at the University of Maine’s Highmoor Farm in Monmouth, Maine.
The central 4’ of each plot was harvested on November 11, about five months after seeding. Roots were topped, washed, and sorted into unmarketable (< 0.5” diameter at shoulder), small (0.5 – 1” diameter), and standard (> 1” diameter) sizes, and weighed. Quantitative and qualitative data for the ten parsnip cultivars evaluated in 2022 are shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Parsnip cultivar description and plot yield of four feet long, double-row plots grown in 2022 at the University of Maine’s Highmoor Farm in Monmouth, Maine.
Albion
Albion Parsnips. Click to enlarge the image, especially when viewing on a mobile device.
Marketable Roots, #: 63
Blocky at shoulder
Many stubby roots
Stringy
On the small side
Tended to fork
Strong stand
Marketable Weight, kg: 4.4
Average Root Weight, g: 70
Gladiator
Gladiator Parsnips. Click to enlarge the image, especially when viewing on a mobile device.
Marketable Roots, #: 74
Blocky at shoulder, almost conical
Generally uniform
Typical parsnip shape and look
Strong stand
Marketable Weight, kg: 4.1
Average Root Weight, g: 55
Harris Model
Harris Model Parsnips. Click to enlarge the image, especially when viewing on a mobile device.
Marketable Roots, #: 32
Broad shoulder
Conical shape, gnarly
Good color
Poor stand
Largest root size but fewest number of marketable roots in planting
Marketable Weight, kg: 4.1
Average Root Weight, g: 130
Javelin
Javelin Parsnips. Click to enlarge the image, especially when viewing on a mobile device.
Marketable Roots, #: 64
Blocky at shoulder
Fair number of stubby roots
Small, but fairly uniform shape
Very good color
Marketable Weight, kg: 3.5
Average Root Weight, g: 54
Panorama
Panorama Parsnips. Click to enlarge the image, especially when viewing on a mobile device.
Marketable Roots, #: 74
Blocky at shoulder
Very small roots
Very uniform
Good germination and seedling vigor
Marketable Weight, kg: 3.5
Average Root Weight, g: 48
TZ 5152
TZ-5152 Parsnips. Click to enlarge the image, especially when viewing on a mobile device.
Marketable Roots, #: 71
Attractive shape and color
Occasionally gnarly
Typical parsnip shape
Good uniformity
Strong stand
Marketable Weight, kg: 4.9
Average Root Weight, g: 69
TZ 7508
TZ-7508 Parsnips. Click to enlarge the image, especially when viewing on a mobile device.
Marketable Roots, #: 64
Very blocky at shoulder
Carried diameter to tip well
Conical shape
Fairly large roots
Good germination and seedling vigor
Marketable Weight, kg: 5.0
Average Root Weight, g: 81
Viking
Viking Parsnips. Click to enlarge the image, especially when viewing on a mobile device.
Marketable Roots, #: 62
Very nice color and shape; attractive
Large roots with full root tips
Generally uniform
Marketable Weight, kg: 5.7
Average Root Weight, g: 91
Warrior
Warrior Parsnips. Click to enlarge the image, especially when viewing on a mobile device.
Marketable Roots, #: 55
Small roots did not bulk up well
Fair number of stubby roots
Intermediate number of marketable roots
Tended to fork
Marketable Weight, kg: 4.5
Average Root Weight, g: 82
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the University of Maine Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, the Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Association, and Hatch Project ME022320. Bejo Seeds, Tozer Seeds, and Harris Seeds generously donated materials for this project. We are grateful for assistance from Greg Koller and Patricia McManus, and field assistants Jonathan Brenner, June Foyt, Ethan Handley, Lydia Handley, Lee Lavoie, Abigail Lucas, Brooke Martin, and Karla Mendoza.
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