Carrot cultivation

Carrot cultivation based on botany, plant characteristic, soil, climate, variety and varietal characteristic, problem in cultivation and their management practices and storage and post harvest handling.

1. Dr. RAJENDRA PRASAD CENTRAL AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY PUSA , SAMSTIPUR , BIHAR 848125 WEL-COME

2. ccc An Assignment Presentation On CULTIVATION OF CARROT Course – VSC:50 1 PRODUCTION OF COOOL SEASONE VEGETABLE (2+1) Presented by : Om Prakash Kumawat M.Sc.(horticulture) Vegetable Science

3. C A R R O T Botanical name :- Daucus carota L. Family :- Umbelliferae Chromosome no .:- 2n=18 Mode of pollination : - cross pollinated crop.

4. INTRODUCTION Carrot is one of the most important root vegetable belonging to the family Umbelliferae . The cultivated forms are derived from south western Asia probably in the hills of Punjab and Kashmir . It is a rich source of alfa and ß carotene and a vital precursor of vitamin A . Uttar Pradesh having maximum production, Bihar having highest area of carrot in india . Carrot ( Daucus carota L.) is cool season root vegetable grown round the world in temperate climates during spring , summer and autumn season and in subtropical climates during winter . Carrot is an important source of carotene content (pro-vitamin A ). Isocumarin is responsible for bitter flavour .

5. Prin c iple Nutrient Value Percentage of RDA Energy 41 Kcal 2% Carbohydrates 9.58 g 7% Protein 0.93 g 1.5% Total Fat 0.24 g 1% Cholesterol mg 0% Dietary Fiber 2.8 g 7% V it a mins Folates 19 µg 5% Niacin 0.983 mg 6% Pantothenic acid 0.273 mg 5.5% Pyridoxine 0.138 mg 10% Riboflavin 0.058 mg 4% Thiamin 0.066 mg 6% Vitamin A 16706 IU 557% Vitamin C 5.9 mg 10% Vitamin K 13.2 µg 11%

6. ORIGIN Afghanistan is believed to be the primary centre of genetic diversity . There is evidences that purple carrot together with yellow variant spread from Afghanistan to the Mediterranean region as early as the tenth or eleventh century . The white and orange carrots are probably mutations of the yellow form. The domestic carrot readily crosses with widely adapted wild carrot known as Queen Anne’s lace . The genus Daucus has many wild forms that grow mostly in Mediterranean region and south-west Asia.

7. BOTONY The cultivated types were evolved as the selection from inter specifc cross between above 2 species. The plant is andromonoecious consisting of hermaphrodite flowers in the peripheral and central zones in the umbel inflorescence and male flowers in the intermediate zone. Male sterility controlled by a cytoplasmic factor and one or more recessive genes has been reported . Closed anther mutants and types with unrolled stamen filaments have been observed . This type of functional male sterility is useful in hybrid seed production. This phenomenon of protandry is also responsible for cross- pollination . The stigma becomes receptive on the fifth day after flower Opening and remains active for 8 days, but the better fruit sets are from pollination on 6 to days after flower opening. Over 95% of cross pollination has been observed in carrot.

8. PLANT CHARACTERS

9. PLANT CHARACTERS Habit : carrot is an annual or biennial herb, with an erect to much branded stem, 30-120 cm height arising from a thick, fleshy tap root,5-30 cm long . Stem : Usually the stem elongates and produces rough, hispid branches during the second year. Leaves : Leaves are pinnately compound with long petioles expanded into a stalk at the base . Root : The edible portion of carrot root is actually an enlarged fleshy taproot. It consist primarily of phylom or cortex and core or xylem. Good quality carrots have a maximum of cortex and minimum of core in the so-called ‘Coreless’ cultivars, the core is small and deeply pigmented so that the cortex and core are evenly coloured .

10. Flowers : Flowers are perfect with small petals, usually white or yellowish in colour , Calyx is entire . Stamens: Stamens are five in number. Ovary: Inferior consists of two locules , each with a single ovule. On the Upper surface of the ovary, there is swollen nectar which supports the style and stigma . Seed: Seed is indehiscent mericarp, containing a single seed. In fact ,2 mericarps pair to form the schizocarps, the true carrot fruit which develops from a two loculed ovary. The mericarpor the seed is some what flatted on one side and the opposite side has longitudinal ribs with bristly hairs.

11. Soil Carrots grows well drained, deep, loose, sandy loam soils rich in humus and having a pH 5.5- 7.0. Soils free of clods are preferred for smooth straight roots . Compared to sandy soils, carrots grown on heavy soils tend be more rough and coarse as the soil compaction affects root growth and length. Very loose or highly compact soils are detrimental to growth of roots.

12. Climate Carrot is a cool season crop growing under a wide range of rainfall . A temperature range of 7- 23 C is considered optimum for seed germination while for better root growth 18 - 23 C is ideal . Very high or low temperature is not conducive for proper development of roots . At higher temperatures , the roots become shorter, thicker and non-juicy while at lower temperatures (10 to 15 C), they become longer and develop poor color.

13. Land Preparation The land should be thoroughly ploughed so that the clods do not interfere with the root development . Well decomposed FYM (25 t/ha) is mixed at the time of land preparation. Application of fresh undecomposed FYM should be avoided as it leads to forking of the fleshy roots.

14. Season of Planting The crop is sown during January- February, June- July and October November. In the mild climate carrot can be grown almost all the year round except few summer months . For regular supply of fresh and tender roots, the sowing should be staggered and done at 15 or 20 days interval . The seed rate of 5-6 kg/ha is recommended.

15. Method of Planting Carrot is a usually grown on ridge to facilitate good root development . The seeds are dibbled at 1.5 cm depth at a spacing of 30 x 8 cm . For enhancing germination, the seeds are soaked in water for 12-24 hours before sowing.

16. Manure & Fertilizer The fertilizer dose depends upon the fertility of soil and amount of organic manure applied to the crop . For a good yield, 25 t / ha of well-decomposed FYM is incorporated into the soil . Generally , application of 100kg N, 60 kg P 2 O 5 and 60 kg K 2 O is recommended for optimum yield.

17. Intercultural Operations Intercultural operations like weeding and hoeing are necessary to check the weed growth and provide soil aeration . Hoeing not only checks weeds but also facilitates soil aeration . Earthing up of roots along with weeding is done to prevent exposure of roots to atmosphere and consequent discoloration.

18. Irrigation Irrigation is given immediately after sowing . Depending upon the planting season and the available soil moisture, carrots may be irrigated at 10-12 days interval during winter and 5-6 days interval during summer . Irrigation should be discontinued 2-3 weeks before harvesting to increase the sweetness and taste of the carrots.

19. Variety and Varietal character: Tropical or Asiatic Types: Pusa Kesar : This is selection from a cross of Local Red and Nantes. The most desirable feature of this variety is that roots stay for about a month longer in the field than local red without bolting. The forking percentage is also less. Pusa Meghali : This is also selection from a cross between nantes and Pusa Kesar . Orange coloured roots with self-coloured core, shoot tops suitable for early sowing. This is the only variety having orange coloured flush in the tropical group . Selection-233: A derivative of a cross of Nantes x No.29. It is a desi type with all good qualities of Nantes . Top reduced ,Leaves dark green, less cracking and forking of roots. Harvesting can be delayed without bolting and impairing its edible qualities.

20. 4 ) No.29: Released by selection from local material by PAU. A desi variety with long tapering red and thin roots. European or Temperate Types: Nantes half Long: Suitable for sowing during winter months. It takes about 110-120 days for root formation. An introduction recommended by IARI Regional Station, Katrain . Early Nantes: Almost cylindrical roots terminating abruptly in small thin tail, 12-15 cm long, fine textured, oranges flesh with self-coloured core. It takes 90-100 days for roots formation and 310-330 days for seed crops.

21. Chatenay : An excellent cultivar for canning and storage. roots are 11.5-15 cm long and 3-5 cm in diameter, thick, attractive orange growth, core indistinct , flesh tender, sweet and fine textures . Imperator: Developed from a cross of Nantes and Chantenay . Roots are 15-17.5 cm long and 2.5-4.5 cm in diameter, with short tapered end ,deep orange cortex and slightly distinct core. Zeno: This is very popular variety for the Nilgiri hills .The roots are 15-17 cm long , and slightly tapering towards the end. It takes 110-120 days for root formation . Pusa Yamdagini (Sel-5 ): Development by hybridization between EDC 9981 x Nantes . Roots are 15-16cm long, orange, self-colored core, slightly tapering, medium tops, quick growing in comparison with other temperate types , high yielding and richer in carotene content.

22. Harvesting: The edible roots become ready for harvesting in about 100-120 days depending on the variety. A light irrigation may be given a day before harvesting to facilitate lifting of roots . Crop is harvested manually by uprooting individual plant . Carrots for processing purpose are left in the ground for a longer period . After harvesting the green tops are cut and the carrots are separated and washed. Yield Generally, Asiatic types yield 25-30 t/ha whereas European types yield 10-15 t/ha.

23. Post Harvest Technology Grading : Carrots are graded according to their size, diameter or length . The carrot should ideally, be of uniform and similar shape for the variety, well formed, smooth, firm but of tender texture . It should also be free from harvest damage, decay, disease or insects.

24. Packaging : Carrots are packed in baskets or gunny bags before sending to market . These are sometimes marketed along with their tops to indicate freshness. Storage : Temperature is the most important factor affecting the storage of carrots . Carrots can be stored for 3-4 days under ambient conditions . However in cold storage, topped carrots can be stored at temperatures of 0 - 4.4 C with 93-98% relative humidity for 6 months . Untopped carrots can be stored only for 10-14 days at 0 ℃.

25. DISEASE CONTROL 1. Leaf spot ( Cercospora carotae ) a) Symptom i ) Lesions with circular white centres on young leaves b ) Control Treat seed with recommended fungicide Rotate crops Destroy infected plant debris Spray foliage with a recommended fungicide

26. 2. Alternaria blight ( Alternaria dauci ) a) Symptom Spots on older leaves, develop into irregular brown lesions with yellowish centre b) Control Rotate crops Treat seeds with a recommended fungicide Destroy infected plant debris Spray foliage with a recommended fungicide

27. 3. Bacterial soft rot ( Erwinia caratora ) a) Symptoms Diseased tissues are soft and gelatinous with a distinct boundary between infected and healthy tissue Rotten tissue has a characteristically unpleasant odour b) Control Rotate crop with maize, pulses, etc. Destroy and remove infected plant debris Facilitate good drainage Avoid damage during transplanting, harvesting and other cultural operations Store roots in a ventilated, dry place Follow fungicide recommendations for disease control

28. PESTS Carrot Rust Fly Carrot Weevils Carrot Weevils Carrot Rust Fly Parsley worms Leaf minor Parsley worms

29. FORKING EFFECT

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