CARROT
(Daucus carota L)


Carrot is an important root vegetable commonly grown in the State. It is rich in vitamin 'A" and some of the major minerals.

Season

August-November.

Soils

Well drained deep loamy soils are best suited for its cultivation.

Varieties

Pusa Kesar, Nantes Half long, Giant Chanteney, Early Gem.

Seeds and Sowing

5 kg of seed per hectare may be dibbled at a spacing of 30 cm X 5 cm.

Manures and Fertilizers

Apply farmyard manure at the rate of 25 tons/hectare in the last ploughing and incorporate it in the soil. Nitrogen 50 kg/ha, Phosphorus 40 kg/ha, Potash 50 kg/ha.

Nitrogen is applied in two split doses i.e 25 kg N ones with last ploughing as basal dose and remaining 25kg 'N' next 6 weeks after sowing as top dressing. All P2o5 and K2o as basal.

Intercultivation

Irrigate the field once in 7-10 days depending upon soil type and weather conditions. Keep the land free from weeds .

Plant Protection

INSECTS

Leaf hopper, Weevil and Aphids.

Diseases

Leaf spot, Blight and powdery mildew.

Spray Schedule

Spray the crop with 20 ml Malthion or 40 g Carbaryl` with 24 g to control the leaf hoppers, weevils and aphids. Wettable sulphur and 30g Copper-oxy chloride in 10 litres of water 4 weeks after sowing. About 360 lit of spray mixture is required per hectare, for the control of leaf spot, blight and powdery mildew.

Repeat the same spray 7 weeks and 10 weeks after sowing. Use about 450 and 540 lit of spray mixtures per hectare respectively.

Harvest and Yield

The crop will be ready for harvest in about 3 months About 20,000 kg tubers may be expected from one hectare.