Carrots
Daucus carota
Root vegetable known for its orange color and sweet taste
Growing Conditions
- Full sun to partial shade
- Deep, loose soil without rocks
- Cool temperatures
- Consistent moisture
- Good drainage
Common Problems
Forked Roots
Cause:
Rocky soil or root obstruction
Solution:
Prepare soil deeply, remove rocks and debris
Organic Treatments:
Well-aged compost
Synthetic Treatments:
None - soil preparation issue
Visual Description:
Carrots develop multiple branches or forks instead of a single straight root. The main root splits into two or more sections when it encounters obstacles in the soil. The split can occur at any point along the root length. Forked carrots may be twisted or curved around obstacles. While still edible, forked carrots are less marketable and more difficult to clean and process.
Green Shoulders
Cause:
Sun exposure on root tops
Solution:
Cover exposed roots with soil or mulch
Organic Treatments:
None - cultural issue
Synthetic Treatments:
None - cultural issue
Visual Description:
The top portion of the carrot that extends above the soil turns green or greenish-purple. The greening can extend down the shoulder of the carrot for 1/2 inch or more. The green tissue is bitter and contains higher levels of compounds that can be mildly toxic. The condition is most common in varieties with shoulders that tend to push up out of the soil as they mature.
Hairy Root
Cause:
Excess nitrogen or bacterial infection
Solution:
Reduce nitrogen, improve drainage
Organic Treatments:
Low-nitrogen organic matter
Synthetic Treatments:
Low nitrogen fertilizer (5-10-10)
Visual Description:
Carrots develop excessive fine root hairs, giving them a fuzzy or hairy appearance. The main root may be stunted or deformed. In severe cases, the entire root system becomes a mass of fine roots with little marketable carrot development. The condition can be accompanied by yellowing foliage if caused by bacterial infection.
Cavity Spot
Cause:
Pythium fungal infection
Solution:
Improve drainage, crop rotation
Organic Treatments:
Beneficial fungi amendments
Synthetic Treatments:
Fungicide treatments
Visual Description:
Small, dark, sunken lesions appear on the carrot surface. The spots are typically elliptical and can be scattered along the root length. As the disease progresses, spots may enlarge and merge. The tissue beneath spots becomes dark and can develop secondary rot. Affected areas remain visible even after washing.
Carrot Rust Fly Damage
Cause:
Carrot rust fly larvae feeding
Solution:
Row covers, timing plantings
Organic Treatments:
None - pest issue
Synthetic Treatments:
None - pest issue
Visual Description:
Rust-colored tunnels appear when carrots are cut open. The tunnels are caused by small, cream-colored maggots feeding inside the root. External symptoms include rusty-brown scarring on the root surface. Severely affected carrots may show wilting foliage and stunted growth. The damage typically starts near the crown and works downward.
Splitting
Cause:
Irregular watering or rapid growth
Solution:
Maintain consistent moisture
Organic Treatments:
None - water management issue
Synthetic Treatments:
None - water management issue
Visual Description:
Carrots develop vertical cracks or splits along their length. The splitting typically occurs suddenly after heavy rain or irrigation following a dry period. The splits can be shallow or deep, sometimes extending to the core. Split areas may heal with corky tissue if left in the ground, but the carrots become unmarketable.
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