Parsnip seeds were sown in mid-April in 2008 and in 2009, and cultivated in double rows at 30 plants m–1 on ridges 0.75 m apart. The young parsnip plants were covered with a protective net from July until harvest each year to prevent infestation by carrot root fly (Psila rosae).The soil type was a silty loam with winter rye as the previous crop.Air temperatures were recorded 1.8 m above ground level.