Fresh carrot, Storage Condition : Fresh

Description :
The carrot is a root vegetable, usually orange in colour, though purple, black, red, white, and yellow cultivars exist. They are a domesticated form of the wild carrot, Daucus carota, native to Europe and Southwestern Asia. The plant probably originated in Persia and was originally cultivated for its leaves and seeds.

Varieties :

• Hills
• Ooty-1
• Early Nantes and New Korda are suitable for cultivation in hilly areas.

Season
Hills
Carrot can be grown throughout the year at an elevation above 1500 metres with assured irrigation. At elevations between 1000 – 1500 metres, it can be grown during July – February.

Plains
Planting can be done during August.

Management
After cultivation
Spray Fluchloralin 1 lit a.i./ha immediately after sowing the seeds to control weeds or the first weeding to be done on 15th day of sowing.  Thinning and earthing up should be given on 30th day.

Splitting of roots is a physiological disorder which is usually seen when there is a sudden increase in soil moisture after prolonged drought. Forking is another phenomenon where in the hard soil does not allow the straight growth of tap root which results in formation of forked root. Forked roots and split roots fetch poor price in market. Keeping the soil moisture at optimum condition will help to keep the soil also loose thereby help to avoid splits and forked roots.

Plant protection
Carrot is not much affected by pests.

Nematode
Application of neem cake @ 1 ton/ha at planting to control root knot nematode, Meloidogyne spp.

Diseases
Leaf spot
Leaf spot can be controlled by spraying Mancozeb at 2 g/lit.

Irrigation/Cultivation
Irrigation
Irrigation is done once in five days.

After cultivation
Spray Fluchloralin 1 lit a.i./ha immediately after sowing the seeds to control weeds or the first weeding to be done on 15th day of sowing.  Thinning and earthing up should be given on 30th day.

Splitting of roots is a physiological disorder which is usually seen when there is a sudden increase in soil moisture after prolonged drought. Forking is another phenomenon.