Summary Significant heterosis for earliness and yield has been reported for root vegetable crops. Major root crops are carrot, radish, turnip and garden beet. These vegetables are used as cooked or as a salad. The hybrids in these crops are also gaining popularity all over the world. These are highly cross-pollinated crops. There are different systems like self-incompatibility and male sterility are available in these crops. Hybrid vigor is exploited commercially in these crops using these mechanisms.