Collection: CARROT

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Carrot is an important root vegetable crop. Carrot is used in a wide range of dishes, including soups, stews, curries, pies, pickles, and salads. Carrot is Known as Gajar in Hindi. "Gajar Halwa," a popular sweet made from carrots, is widely loved in Indian households. Carrots are a rich source of vitamin A and contain high levels of α and β carotene. 

In addition to its nutritional value, Gajar also has medicinal properties. Carrots help increase urine production and assist in eliminating uric acid from the body. Carrots have a cooling effect and are beneficial for people suffering from gallstones, constipation, and heat-related issues.

The scientific name of the Carrot is Daucus carota and it belongs to the family Apiaceae. Purple and black carrots are commonly used to prepare a beverage called 'kanji,' which is known for being a good appetizer. Gajar leaves are a valuable source of leaf protein and are often used as fodder or in the preparation of poultry feed. In France, the essential oil extracted from Gajar seeds is used to flavor liquors and various food products.

Climate for Carrot Cultivation 

Carrots are best grown in cooler climates, typically in temperate regions during spring, summer, and autumn. In tropical and subtropical areas, carrots are usually grown in winter. Temperature plays a big role in the color development and root growth of Gajar plants. Gajar seeds germinate well in temperatures between 7°C and 23°C. The ideal temperature for healthy growth of Gajar plants is between 18°C and 21 °C. Carrots grown between 15°C and 20°C usually develop the best color. Carotene production drops if temperatures are too low, below 15 °C, or too high, above 21 °C.

Gajar plants also need low light for proper growth. While carrots generally prefer cooler conditions, some tropical varieties can handle higher temperatures and still grow well, even at temperatures as high as 25°C.

Soil for Sowing Carrot Seeds

Carrots grow well in deep, well-drained sandy loam soils. This is especially suitable for early Gajar crops as it helps with proper root development. Heavy soils can restrict Gajar root growth and cause the roots to fork. Gajar Varieties with long roots do well in lighter soils. Carrots also don't grow well in very acidic soils. For the best Gajar yield, a soil pH of 6.5 is ideal.

Land preparation for Sowing Carrot Seeds

The land is ploughed to a fine tilth to remove clods and weeds. During the final ploughing, 30 tonnes per hectare of well-decomposed FYM is applied. Fresh cow dung should not be used, as it may cause the Gajar roots to fork.

Carrot Seeds and Propagation Material 

Selection of a Carrot variety: Select a Carrot variety according to the climate, soil, local market demand, and other factors.

Procurement of Carrot Seeds: Purchase Quality carrot seeds for good results. At Desikheti, a wide range of high-quality carrot seeds are available and can be delivered to the farmers.

Carrot Seed Rate: The average seed rate required for carrot farming is around 2.5 to 3 kg of carrot seeds per acre of land.

Carrot Seed Treatment: Carrot seeds sold by private companies are usually treated with chemicals. However, if the Carrot seeds are not pretreated, treat them with 5% Trichoderma viride.

Time of Sowing Carrot Seeds 

The exact sowing time of carrots varies based on region, variety, etc. The Carrot seeds can be sown from June to September. In India, Gajar seeds are usually sown in September, which provides ideal conditions. Gajar seeds germinate best in temperatures between 7°C and 23°C.

Gajar seeds of tropical varieties are usually sown from September to October, and temperate varieties seeds from October onwards. In hilly areas, carrot seeds are sown from January to February. Carrot seeds are sown at intervals of 2 to 4 weeks to ensure a steady supply of marketable produce.

Method of Sowing Carrot Seeds 

The method of sowing Carrot seeds depends on the region. In hilly areas, Carrot seeds are typically sown in raised beds. In the plains, Carrot seeds are Sown in ridges and furrows. The method of sowing Gajar seeds also depends on the season. During the rainy season, ridges and furrows are prepared to sow Gajar seeds. In the Rabi season, if the soil is loose, carrots are sown on flat beds. For hard soil, the sowing of Carrot seeds takes place in ridges and furrows.

Since Gajar seeds are small and light, they are often mixed with soil or broken rice in a 1:1 ratio to make them easier to sow. The carrot seeds are planted at a depth of 1 to 5 cm, with rows spaced 30 cm apart, and seeds placed 5 cm apart within the row. Under good moisture conditions, the Gajar seeds usually germinate within 5 to 10 days. Thinning is done 8 to 10 days after germination of Carrot seeds, leaving a spacing of 30 cm by 5 to 10 cm between plants.

Nutrient Management in Carrot Cultivation 

Carrots are nutrient-demanding plants. Generally, the requirement of potassium is high for Gajar crops. The exact fertilizer recommendation can vary based on factors like location, the type of Gajar being grown, and the quality of the soil. Generally, it is recommended to apply 40 to 60 kg of nitrogen, 25 to 50 kg of phosphorus, and 90 to 110 kg of potassium per hectare as a basal dose during the final ploughing.

However, too much nitrogen can harm root quality and reduce the levels of sugar, dry matter, carotene, and vitamin C in the carrots. Therefore, care should be taken during fertilizer application.  

Irrigation Management in Carrot Cultivation 

The amount of water carrots need depends on the soil and the season. After sowing the Carrot seeds, water them immediately. Later on, Gajar seeds can be irrigated once every 6 to 10 days. Be careful not to overwater, as this can distort the shape of the Gajar plant roots and cause excessive hair growth. To enhance the sweetness and flavour of the carrots, stop watering 2 to 3 weeks before harvest.

Weed Management in Carrot Cultivation

 First, weeding needs to be done 15 days after sowing carrot seeds. Later on, weeding can be done depending on the weed infestation. During weeding, care should be taken so as not to damage the plant roots.

Pest and Disease Management in Carrot Cultivation 

Common Pests of Carrot

Flea beetle (Systena blanda)

• Flea beetles are occasional pests of carrots.
• Their larvae are thin and thread-like, with a white body and brown head. They create small holes in the leaves of Gajar t plants, giving them a "shothole" appearance.
• Young Carrot plants and seedlings are particularly vulnerable, and the damage can slow their growth.

Carrot rust fly (Psila rosae)

• The adult rust fly is about 6-8 mm in length, with a shiny black thorax and abdomen, a reddish-brown head, and yellow legs.
• The adult fly is dark, while the larvae are white maggots.
• These larvae feed on Gajar roots, which makes the carrots unmarketable.
• The fly gets its name from the rust-coloured frass it leaves behind in the feeding tunnels on the surface of the Gajar.

Common Diseases of Carrot 

Cercospora leaf blight (Cercospora carotae)

• The disease severely affects Gajar leaves and petioles, especially when prolonged wet weather occurs during the growing season.
• In cases of severe infection, entire Gajar leaves and petioles may die.
• Symptoms begin at the leaf margins. Small, circular spots appear on the edges of the leaves, ranging in colour from tan and grey to brown, with a dead centre. As the lesions spread and grow, the entire leaf wilts and dies.
• The fungus primarily attacks younger Carrot leaves and plants but can affect both older and younger leaves in heavily infested fields.

Alternaria blight (Alternaria dauci)

• Alternaria leaf spots first appear at the edges of the Gajar leaflets, with dark brown to black, irregularly shaped lesions.
• Lesions on the petioles and stems of Carrot plants are dark brown and often merge, sometimes encircling the stems.
• As the disease progresses, entire leaflets may wither and die, giving them a scorched look.
• The disease tends to affect older Gajar leaves and plants more than younger ones.
• It spreads quickly on the older leaves of a maturing crop once the rows have closed. This rapid spread is partly due to poor air circulation around the lower leaves of Carrot plants and the moisture retention of dense foliage.

Watery soft rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum)

• Carrots are especially vulnerable to this disease late in the growing season and during storage.
• The disease is commonly present in the soil or storage environments and typically appears after the harvest of Carrots.
• In the field, the infection is marked by the presence of white mold and black sclerotia on the Gajar crowns.
• During storage, the disease causes a soft, watery rot with white mold and black sclerotia.

Harvesting of Carrot 

There are two common ways to harvest Gajar. When grown on ridges, the soil is loosened with a spade, and the Gajar roots are pulled up by holding the carrot tops. Light watering before harvest helps make it easier to pull the carrot roots without damaging them. On flat land, the tops are cut close to the ground, and the roots are dug out with a spade.

For Asiatic varieties, the roots are harvested when they're about 2.5 to 5 cm in diameter at the top.

Early carrots are usually harvested before they are fully mature, mainly for distant markets. If not, carrots are harvested once they reach full maturity. After harvesting, the carrot roots are trimmed, washed, and packed into gunny bags before being sent to market.

Carrot Yield 

The yield depends on the variety. Tropical carrot types typically produce an average yield of 20 to 30 tonnes per hectare, while temperate varieties yield around 10 to 15 tonnes per hectare.