Carrot (Daucus carota L.); Umbelliferae
Varieties – Early Nantes and Kuroda
Hybrids – Zubera, Nantindo, Zia, Nandhini, Sawan, Jockey, Jai, Romance, Brillyance, Alamada, Sirkana, Champion, Namdhari–854, 9905, Bermuda, Natuna
Climate and Soil – The Carrot is a cool season crop and when grown at 15°C to 20°C, it will develop good colour. The carrot crop needs deep loose loamy soil. It requires a soil pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.
Season – At an elevation of above 1500 metres, carrot can be grown throughout the year under assured irrigation.
Seed rate – 4 kg/ha.
Preparation of field – Prepare the land to a fine tilth and form raised beds of one metre breadth and convenient length
Sowing: Mark the rows on the raised beds with spacing of 25 – 30 cm. Sow the seeds mixed with sand (One part of seed with 4 parts of sand).
Thinning – Thin the plants by following a spacing of 10 cm between plants.
Irrigation – Once in five days. In hills, if irrigation facilities are available, sprinkler irrigation may be followed.
Application of Manures
Basal application of 25 t of FYM and 2 kg each of Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria and top dressing of vermicompost @ 5 t/ha in 2 equal splits at 15 days interval (2.5 t at 30 days after planting and 2.5 t at 45 days after planting).
Foliar Nutrition – Spray 3% Panchagavya twice at 30 and 45 days after planting
After Cultivation
First weeding is to be done on 15th day. 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 loose there by splitting and forked roots are avoided.
Plant Protection: Carrot is not much affected by pests.
Nematode
- Soil application of neem cake @ 1 ton/ha at the time sowing.
- Biofumigation of mustard plants followed by application of neemcake @ 250kg/ha along with Purpureocillium lilacinum @ 5kg/ha.
- Application of lilacinum as seed treatment @ 20g/kg of seed followed by soil application @ 2.5kg/ha along with FYM @ 2.5 t/ha.
Yield: 25 – 30 t/ha in 100 – 120 days.