agronom.info agronomy portal
Reference · Crops

Apiaceae

Celery (Apium graveolens) is a key vegetable crop belonging to the Apiaceae family. It is commercially cultivated in three main varieties: leaf, stalk (celery), and celeriac (root celery). Each type exhibits unique structural characteristics and specific growth requirements that agronomists must consider to achieve optimal yields.

Main sections

Sanicula23 Seseli21 Thapsia13 Smyrnium6 Tauschia6 Spermolepis5 Selinum3 Silaum2 Silphiodaucus2 Smyrniopsis2 Thaspium2 Tilingia2 Rock samphire1 Saposhnikovia divaricata1 Scaligeria1 Scandix1 Shoshonea1 Spananthe1 Sphallerocarpus1 Spignel1
517 sections

What the section contains

Rock pimpinella Pimpinella lithophila Rock samphire Crithmum 1 item Rough chervil Chaerophyllum temulum Rouy's carrot Daucus rouyi Saharan carrot Daucus sahariensis Sanicula Sanicula 23 items Saposhnikovia divaricata Saposhnikovia 1 item Saposhnikovia divaricata Saposhnikovia divaricata Scaligeria Scaligeria 1 item Scandix Scandix 1 item Scandix australis Scandix australis Scandix balansae Scandix balansae Scandix iberica Scandix iberica Scandix macrorhyncha Scandix macrorhyncha Scandix palaestina Scandix palaestina Scandix stellata Scandix stellata Scandix turgida Scandix turgida Scotch lovage Ligusticum scothicum Sea holly Eryngium maritimum Sea holly Eryngium hybrids Seawatch Angelica lucida Selinum Selinum 3 items Semicomposite hare's ear Bupleurum semicompositum Seseli Seseli 21 item Seseli bocconi Seseli bocconi Sheep Ferula Ferula ovina Shining lovage Ligusticum lucidum Shining parsnip Pastinaca lucida Shoshonea Shoshonea 1 item Shrubby hare's ear Bupleurum fruticosum Siberian hogweed Heracleum sibiricum Silaum Silaum 2 items Silphiodaucus Silphiodaucus 2 items Silver-white eryngo Eryngium spinalba Slender eryngo Eryngium tenue Slender hare's-ear Bupleurum tenuissimum Smith's eryngo Eryngium smithii Smyrniopsis Smyrniopsis 2 items Smyrnium Smyrnium 6 items Southern celery Apium australe Spananthe Spananthe 1 item Spermolepis Spermolepis 5 items Sphallerocarpus Sphallerocarpus 1 item Spignel Meum 1 item Spiny carrot Daucus muricatus Spreading chervil Chaerophyllum procumbens Spuriopimpinella Spuriopimpinella 1 item Steganotaenia Steganotaenia 1 item Stenotaenia Stenotaenia 1 item Steven's Hogweed Heracleum stevenii Sweet Cicely Myrrhis 1 item Sweet cowparsnip Heracleum dulce Szovitsia Szovitsia 1 item Taenidia Taenidia 1 item Tatar asafoetida Ferula tatarica Tauschia Tauschia 6 items Thapsia Thapsia 13 items Thaspium Thaspium 2 items Thick-stemmed celery Apium crassipes Tilingia Tilingia 2 items

Apiaceae

The plant originates from the Mediterranean region, where it was historically used for medicinal and culinary purposes. Today, it is grown globally in regions with cool to moderate climates. Celery requires a consistent supply of moisture and is particularly sensitive to extreme heat, which can lead to rapid bolting and reduced quality of the harvested produce.

Botanically, celery is a biennial plant. In its first year, it develops a rosette of leaves and either a fleshy taproot or thick, succulent leaf stalks. For commercial production, it thrives in deep, fertile, moisture-retentive soils with an ideal pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Proper soil preparation, including organic matter enrichment, is essential for healthy root development.

The agronomic cycle of celery is characterized by a long growing season, necessitating the use of transplants grown in nurseries. Weed management is critical, as the crop has a slow early growth rate and cannot compete effectively with aggressive weeds. Regular irrigation and split-application fertilization are standard practices to ensure nutrient uptake throughout the vegetative phase.

  • Soil testing for optimal nutrient management.
  • Application of nitrogen during the vegetative growth stage.
  • Consistent soil moisture to prevent bitter taste and pithiness.
  • Crop rotation to reduce soil-borne disease pressure.

Celery is a highly versatile crop used in food processing, retail, and pharmaceutical applications. Growers face challenges from fungal diseases such as Septoria blight and various bacterial rots, as well as pests like aphids and celery leaf miners. Integrated pest management strategies, including resistant cultivars and proper sanitation, are vital for a profitable harvest.