The researchers involved want to grow seed varieties, which can be stored for a long period and have a high resistance against various diseases and a high content of health promoting qualities. The starting points of the research were criteria such as vitamin content, sensory properties, resistance against fungus, disease and harvest yield.
It was found that the differences in colour of the carrots is genetically bound in this as well. This could be used in the market technically in favour of the local carrot cultivation, BLE emphasized. Therefore this criteria has been included in the selection of the further development of the seeds. A total amount of 230,000 Euro was made available for the research project. Various media, amongst which the German Handelsblatt recently reported about colour cultivation at the expense of subsidy monies. The benefit of the project was doubted. The BLE stressed that all research undertaken by them including the carrot cultivation project are controlled by independent experts as to whether they are meaningful beforehand.