READ ME File For 'fulldatav3.csv'


ReadMe Author: Annabelle Fisher, University of Southampton ORCID ID 0000-0003-2230-7954 

This dataset supports the thesis entitled "Defining Solutions for the Improvement of Food and Nutrition Security in the UK: Parsnips as a Case Study for Improving Folate Status through Dietary Intervention"

AWARDED BY: University of Southampton
DATE OF AWARD: 2026


Date of data collection: 
2021 - 2025

Information about geographic location of data collection: 
Data were collected from field trials in Cobham, Surrey.



Related projects/Funders:
Parsnips were grown by project partners Tozer Seeds Ltd.


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DATA & FILE OVERVIEW
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This dataset contains:

- fulldatav3.csv
- README.txt


Relationship between files, if important for context:

The README file applies to the fulldatav3.csv

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METHODOLOGICAL INFORMATION
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Full information on the methods for collection/generation of the data are included in the main thesis document entitled "Defining Solutions for the Improvement of Food and Nutrition Security in the UK: 
Parsnips as a Case Study for Improving Folate Status through Dietary Intervention - Chapter 3 - Varietal Variation in the Folate (Vitamin B9) Content of Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa L.)" 

In brief, 10 different varieties of parsnips were grown across two field locations in Cobham, Surrey in a randomised, triplicated block design. These were harvested in two independent sampling events, Early (November 2024) and late (March 2025). Samples were harvested, cleaned, and analysed for folate content by using a tri-enzyme extraction and cleaning process followed by HPLC FlD/DAD detection with an external standard. The dataset contains the total folate content, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate content, and tetrahydrofolate content of each replicate of each variety. 

In addition, data were collected on some key phenotypic traits of each parsnip variety. These are included as seperate columns in the dataset. 

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DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION
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Number of variables:
22

Number of cases/rows: 
121

Variable list, defining any abbreviations, units of measure, codes or symbols used:

Variable	|Type		|Description								|Unit	|
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plot		| factor	| Plot location from which samples were collected			| -
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variety		| factor	| Variety type to which sample belongs. One of 10 levels.		| -
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block		| factor	| Block within which the plot the sample was grown in was located	| -	
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site		| factor	| Site on which the sample was grown					| -
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harvest		| factor	| Whether the sample was harvested in the 'early' or 'late' event	| -
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environment 	| factor	| An indicator including information on harvest site and timing		| -
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plot_mass	| numeric	| The total mass of parsnips harvested from the plot			| grams
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plot_count_n	| numeric	| The total number of parsnips harvested from the plot			| -
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plot_yield_avgg | numeric	| The average mass per parsnip of parsnips harvested from the plot	| grams
_per_parsnip 	|		| 									|
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shape_1_6	| numeric	| The shape of the parsnip sample on a scale from 1 to 6		| -
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canker_1_5	| numeric	| The extent of canker disease presence on a scale from 1 to 5		| -
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crf_1_5		| numeric	| The extent of carrot root fly disease on a scale from 1 to 5		| -
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harv_l		| numeric	| The quantified whiteness of parsnip root skin at harvest		| -
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stored_l	| numeric	| The quantified whiteness of parsnip root skin after 1 week 		| -
		|		| refrigerated storage							|
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storage_disc	| numeric	| The difference in parsnip skin colour after storage compared to 	| -
		|		| harvest								|
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cut_l		| numeric	| The quantified whiteness of parsnip root flesh immediately after 	| -
		|		| cutting open								|
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browning_disc	| numeric	| The amount of parsnip flesh browning after 1 day refrigerated storage	| -
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firm_8mm	| numeric	| The firmness of the parsnip tissue at 8mm depth			| newtons
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core_area_perc	| numeric	| The percentage of cross sectional area of the parsnip that is core	| percent
		|		| tissue								|
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mthf_ug_100gFW	| numeric	| The amount of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate in the sample per 100g fresh 	| ug/100g
		|		| weight								|
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thf_ug_100gFW	| numeric	| The amount of tetrahydrofolate in the sample per 100g fresh weight	| ug/100g
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total_ug_100gFW	| numeric	| The total amount of folate in the sample per 100g fresh weight	| ug/100g
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Date that the file was created: November, 2025

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