Eregli Black Carrot Product Description and Distinctive Features: The production of black carrot, which is one of the main sources of livelihood in the region, started in the Ereğli district in 1940. The district is a pioneer in black carrot production nationwide, with nearly 100% efficiency in production. Ereğli Black Carrot is cultivated in an area of 10,000 hectares in Ereğli and its surrounding villages, including Kuzukuyusu, Pınarözü, Sazgeçit, Selvili, Aşıklar, Türkmen, Çiller, and Kamışlıkuyu. While black carrots are used domestically for making turnip juice, more than half of the production is exported. It is utilized in the cosmetic industry as a natural food coloring, body and sun oil. In the food sector, it is used for carrot preserves, frozen products, jams, juice, or as a table vegetable. The origin of Ereğli Black Carrot is the Ereğli region. The high content of anthocyanin, a purple pigment with significant antioxidant properties, in Ereğli soil gives the product its dark color, distinguishing it from black carrots grown in other regions. While carrots typically have an ascorbic acid content ranging from 4 to 10 mg/100g, Ereğli Black Carrot has a level of 26.40 mg/100g, making it a significant source of ascorbic acid. Additionally, the soil in Ereğli has a lime/potassium ratio of 0.5, which is much higher compared to other regions where black carrots are grown in Turkey. This favorable soil structure in Ereğli ensures that black carrots can grow without losing their characteristic features. Ereğli soil is light, deep, nutrient-rich, well-tilled, and has a pH level of 6-6.5, making it highly suitable for black carrot cultivation, which is sensitive to high acidity. Production Method: Seed Production: Carrots harvested from October to December, with 2-3 cm leaf stalks remaining on the top, are shaved, and the obtained cuttings are planted in the soil at a depth of 2-3 cm on the surface in May. Seeds are collected from the flowers that bloom in August after necessary harvesting and drying processes. The flowers are umbrella-shaped, starting to bloom on the main umbrella at the top of the plant. Umbrellas are formed in groups as primary-secondary-tertiary, and quaternary. They gain size in the order of this formation. The largest umbrella is the primary one, carrying hundreds of flower stalks and flowers arranged from the outside to the inside. During the flowering period, plants need to be at least 500 meters away from other carrot varieties. Planting: The best cultivation method for carrots is row planting. The planting depth should be 2.5-3 cm, and 300-400 grams of seeds are sown per acre. The amount of seed to be planted is given in row spacings of 25-30-40 cm. The seeds germinate at temperatures above 10°C. Soil Preparation: In light-textured soils, carrots should be cultivated directly with appropriate nutrition, irrigation, and maintenance conditions. The soil structure should be deep, loose, permeable, rich in organic matter, and have sufficient lime levels. Taking into account the root length of carrots, soil cultivation is carried out 1-2 times at a depth of 20-25 cm. Well-rotted farmyard manure is spread after the first cultivation and mixed with the soil in the second cultivation. If drip irrigation is to be applied, boards are prepared. After the plants emerge from the soil, water is provided to the furrows opened with throat filling in between the rows. Due to the late germination of carrot seeds, weeds quickly develop, slowing down the growth of newly germinating carrot plants and covering them. Therefore, weed control should be performed, as thinning and hoeing processes will be difficult. Weedkiller is sprayed with a sprayer during soil preparation. After the treatment, the soil is worked at a depth of 5-8 cm, and seed sowing begins. Irrigation: Regular irrigation is crucial for primary and secondary root development in carrots. Lack of water during the primary period leads to a short carrot length, and during the secondary period, it prevents the carrot from thickening adequately. Additionally, irregular irrigation can cause carrots to crack, making them unsuitable for sale. Therefore, either sprinkler or drip irrigation methods should be used. Fertilization: The balance of nitrogen and potassium, affecting yield and quality, should be adjusted appropriately. Ereğli Black Carrot prefers nitrogen in the form of nitrate. Potassium increases the sugar content and storage power of the product. Carrots are extremely sensitive to salt, especially during germination and early growth, so fertilizing at the time of planting would be incorrect. This would lead to germination issues and gaps in the rows. Inorganic fertilizer should not be heavily used in the early stages. Fresh manure should not be used because it can change the color of carrots, giving them a blue-red hue, and lead to early flowering. If fertilization due to phosphorus deficiency has not been done until a week before planting, fertilizer should be applied after germination is completed and the plants have 2-3 true leaves. For a hectare, 8-10 kg of pure nitrogen, 8-9 kg of phosphorus, and 12-16 kg of potassium fertilizer are calculated and mixed into the soil 10-15 cm deep at least two weeks before planting. If half of the nitrogen is applied before planting and the other half when the plants have 3-4 true leaves, losses through leaching can be reduced. Harvest: Harvesting of mature carrots can last for several weeks from October to December. Carrots harvested earlier may remain thin. Harvesting can be done manually or with a machine, depending on the width of the cultivation area and the quantity of carrots to be marketed. Storage temperatures are between 3-50°C above freezing. Carrots intended for storage should be harvested after full ripening, and care should be taken not to damage the carrots during harvesting.