The purpose of the study was to evaluate the economically important characteristics of three parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) varieties and their suitability for cultivation in central Slovenia and the Primorska region. The experiment was conducted at the laboratory field of the Biotechnical Faculty at the University of Ljubljana and at the BF Horticultural Center of Biotechnical Faculty in Orehovlje, near Bilje. For the cultivars ‘Bielas,’ ‘Halblanger,’ and ‘Javelin F1,’ we measured yield, morphological characteristics and the internal structure of the roots, and changes in selected characteristics during two months of storage at 1–3 °C and 80–90% air relative humidity. The location had a significant effect on the yield, which was 7 to 11 times higher in Ljubljana than in Bilje. The ‘Halblanger’ cultivar achieved the highest yield in Ljubljana (11± 0.8 kg/m²), while the ‘Bielas’ and ‘Javelin F1’ cultivars yielded approximately 7 kg± 0.6/m². The heaviest roots were developed by the ‘Halblanger’ cultivar in Ljubljana (722 ± 137 g), and by the ‘Bielas’ cultivar in Bilje (144 ± 35 g), which also had the longest roots (18 ± 1 cm). Significant weight losses and changes in the morphological characteristics of the roots occurred during storage. The greatest weight loss was observed in the ‘Javelin F1’ cultivar (54 %), while the smallest was in the ‘Bielas’ cultivar (44 %). The results indicate that the growing location and cultivar are important factors affecting the yield, quality, and storage life of parsnips.
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