Celery

Apium graveolens

1. Identification and origin

Apium graveolens L. is a herbaceous species of the Apiaceae family, known as celery. It is native to the Mediterranean region and the Middle East, having spread to Europe, Asia and America. It includes different cultivated groups (stalk celery, leaf celery and celeriac), widely used as fresh or aromatic vegetables.

2. Economic importance

Celery is a crop of growing relevance in intensive horticulture, intended for fresh consumption, the food industry and the dietetic products market. It is valued for its aromatic flavour and its content of fibre, vitamins and bioactive compounds. Demand is high in export markets and in fresh vegetable supply chains.

3. Botanical characterisation

Biennial plant cultivated as an annual, with an erect stem and compound, deeply lobed leaves. The petioles are thick, succulent and aromatic (stalk celery). The flowers are small, white, grouped in compound umbels. The root is a taproot, which may form a thickened organ in celeriac. Reproduction is by seed.

4. Soil and climate requirements

It prefers cool and humid climates, with optimum temperatures between 15–20 °C. It is sensitive to excessive heat, which causes early bolting, and to severe frosts. It requires deep, fertile, well‑drained soils, rich in organic matter and with good water retention capacity. The ideal pH is between 6.0–7.0. It needs regular and uniform irrigation.

5. Main pests

• Aphids (Aphididae): deformations and transmission of viral diseases.
• Celery fly: Euleia heraclei causes mines in the leaves.
• Whitefly: Aleyrodidae causes weakening and sooty mould.
• Noctuid caterpillars: perforations and defoliation.
• Nematodes: Meloidogyne spp. cause root galls and reduced growth.

6. Main diseases

• Septoria leaf spot: caused by Septoria apiicola, produces leaf spots with pycnidia.
• Early blight: Cercospora apii causes irregular lesions and necrosis.
• Powdery mildew: Erysiphe heraclei forms white mycelium on leaves.
• Root rots: Pythium and Phytophthora associated with waterlogged soils.
• Opportunistic bacteria: cause rots of the crown and internal tissues.

7. General cultural management

It includes the use of vigorous seedlings, planting in fertile and well‑drained soils, regular irrigation, weed control and monitoring of pests and diseases. Balanced fertilisation, with attention to calcium and boron, improves the quality of the petioles. In greenhouses, adequate ventilation reduces the risk of foliar diseases. Harvesting should be staggered to maintain commercial quality.

Bibliographic references

• EPPO Global Database – Apium graveolens
• CABI – Crop Factsheets – Apium graveolens
• Rubatzky, V. E., & Yamaguchi, M. (2012). World Vegetables. Springer.
• Kays, S. J. (2011). Cultivated Vegetables of the World. Wageningen Academic Publishers.
• Zandstra, B. H., & Warncke, D. (2001). Celery Production and Management. Michigan State University Extension.
• FAO – Technical documents on vegetable production.