How Do Carrot Grow
Botanical Name : Daucus carota L
Family : Apiaceae / Umbelliferae
Chromosome No. : 2n = 18
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History and Origin – There are many differences among scientists about the birthplace of carrot. Some scientists say that its birthplace is in the hills of Punjab and Kashmir in Central Asia and some say that the second center of its distribution is Asia, Europe and North Africa. Its wild species are still found growing in Punjab. In some areas of Kashmir, its wild species are still seen being used by the residents there.
How Do You Grow Carrot From Carrot Tops
Nutritive value - Vegetable, pickle, kanji, halwa, salad etc. are made from carrots. Kanji is made from black carrots, which is good and digestive. Carotene, thiamine and riboflavin are found in high quantities in orange carrots. The nutritional value of carrots is shown in the table-
(Nutrition Value of Carrot per 100 gm)
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Moisture : 85.0 g Protein : 0.9 g Fat : 0.2 g Minerals : 1.1 g Fibre : 1.2 g Other Carbohydrates : 10.6 g Iron : 2.0 g Calcium : 80.0 mg Magnesium : 4.0 mg Oxalic Acid : 5.0 mg Phosphorus : 30.0 mg Sodium
: 35.6 mg Potassium : 108.0 mg Copper : 0.13 mg Sulphur : 27.0 mg Thiamine : 0.04 mg Riboflavin : 0.02 mg Nicotinic Acid : 0.6 mg Vitamin C : 3.0 mg Vitamin A
: 3150.0 IU Calories : 47.0 |
Varieties
Carrot varieties are divided into two parts-
1. Asian - Asian varieties are annual. There is a long variation in their size and colour. Their upper part is wide and gradually becomes thin towards the bottom. They are red, yellow, orange and purple in colour. These varieties tolerate high temperature.
2. European - European varieties are small in size, smooth and equally thick. Their colour is orange and they are biennial.
How Do You Harvest Carrot
Asian or Tropical varieties -
These varieties give more yield. Halwa, pickle, jam, vegetable, salad etc. are made from these carrots. They are dried and enjoyed out of season. Information about the main characteristics of major Asian varieties is given below-
Pusa Kesar - This is a hybrid variety which gets ready in 90-110 days. It can be sown from August to early October. Roots are dark red and conical in shape. Their central part is small and light red in colour. It yields 250-300 quintals per hectare.
Pusa Meghali – This variety is ready after 110 to 120 days. Its roots are orange in colour and pulp is also orange in colour. It is a suitable variety for sowing in August-September. It yields 250-300 quintals per hectare.
Selection 223 – This variety is ready in just 6 (6) days and remains in good condition in the field for 90 (90) days. Its roots are 15 to 18 cm long, orange and tasty to eat. It can be sown late also. It yields 200 to 300 quintals per hectare.
Carrot No. 29 – This is an early variety. Its roots are red in colour and grow long. Its seeds can be prepared easily in plain areas. 250-300 quintals of yield is obtained per hectare.
European or Temperate Varieties
Pusa Yamadagni (Selection 5) – This variety is ready in 86-130 days. Roots are 15-20 cm long, light, saffron colored or half stump shaped. This variety grows rapidly. Carotene is found in large quantity. The pulp is saffron colored, has good aroma, is soft and tasty. This is a high yielding variety.
Nantis – The upper part of this variety is small and has green leaves. Its roots are 12-15 cm long, cylindrical and orange colored. The crop is ready in 90-110 days. It is very tasty to eat. It gives 200 quintals of yield per hectare. It is sown from mid-October to December.
Chantenay - This variety is ready in 100-120 days. The roots are thick and dark red in colour. The seed of this variety can be prepared in plain areas. It gives up to 150 quintals of yield per hectare. This variety can be sown from mid-October to early December.
Jaino - This variety is ready in 115-120 days. Its roots are 15 cm long. This variety is suitable for growing in the Nilgiri region of Tamil Nadu.
Imperator - This variety has been prepared through hybridization. It is a mid to late duration variety. The pulp is orange in colour. It is a high yielding variety.
Other varieties - Early Hornak and Early Gem Imperator.
How Do You Grow A Carrot
Climate - Although carrot is a crop of cold climate, but some of its varieties can tolerate high temperature also. Temperature affects the development of colour of roots and their growth. At 10-15°C temperature, the size of roots is relatively small but their colour is best. European varieties require 4.8° to 10°C temperature for 4-6 weeks during root formation.
Soil - For successful production of carrot, deep, loose loamy soil with proper drainage is considered best. The pH value of the soil should be 6.5. Highly alkaline or highly acidic soils are considered to be obstacles in its successful production.
Land Preparation - For getting high yield of carrot, preparation of the field is of special importance. First plough the field with a soil turning plough. After this, plough 2-3 times with a cultivator or harrow. After every ploughing, definitely apply a leveller. Excessive ploughing should not be done as it increases the production cost and adversely affects the soil structure.
Manure and Fertilizers
Carrot is usually grown on medium to low fertility light soils. Hence, the use of manure and fertilizers has a good effect. It is beneficial to use them after soil testing. According to Chadha (2001), a normal crop should be given 23 tonnes of cow dung manure, besides 50 kg nitrogen, 50 kg phosphorus and 45 kg potash per hectare.
To get a good yield of carrots, the following amount of manure and fertilizers should be given per hectare-
30 tons of cow dung manure - 2 weeks before the last ploughing
250 kg single super phosphate}
300 kg muriate of potash} at the time of last ploughing
125 kg ammonium nitrate}
50 kg urea ------------- 40 days after sowing
Sowing
Quantity of seeds - 5-6 kg seeds are required per hectare.
Seed treatment - To protect the crop from fungal diseases, the seeds should be treated with thiram or vabitine at the rate of 3 grams per kg of seed before sowing.
The seeds should be soaked in water for 12-24 hours for quick germination.
How To Grow Carrot
Sowing time - The time of sowing of carrot depends on which variety is to be grown. In the plains of northern India, Asian varieties are sown from the end of August to the first week of October. Whereas European varieties are sown in November. In the mountainous regions, sowing is done from March to June. In South and Central India, sowing is done in January-February, June-July and October-November.
Method of sowing - Carrots are sown on flat beds or baskets. To get its yield, it is advisable to grow it on baskets. The distance between rows and plants should be kept 45 x 7.5 cm. The seeds should not be sown more than 1.5 cm deep. To get continuous crop of carrots, sowing should be done at an interval of 10-15 days. Carrots germinate slowly. Germination usually takes place after 10-20 days.
Irrigation & Drainage
After sowing the seeds, it is necessary to keep the baskets moist until the sprouts appear. After this, irrigation should be done at an interval of 8-10 days before the leaves wither. Due to low moisture, the yield is less. Whereas due to excess moisture, there can be a huge reduction in the yield. Therefore, carrots should be irrigated before the leaves wither.
Excessive water should not be allowed to stagnate in the field. In such a situation, the plants turn yellow and die.
Crop protection
Weed control
Weeds growing along with the carrot crop have an adverse effect on its growth and yield, so it is very important to control them on time. Do weeding as per need.
During weeding, the dense plants should be uprooted so that the remaining plants can develop and grow well.
3.5 liters of weedicide Stamp should be dissolved in 1000 liters of water and sprayed before germination. By doing this, weeds do not grow in the crop for 40-50 days.
Insect Control
Leafhopper (Empoasca punjabensis) - Both the adults and nymphs of this insect suck the sap of the plants. Due to which the process of photosynthesis is adversely affected.
To control this insect, 0-05 percent monocrotophos should be sprayed.
Cut Worm (Agrotis ipsilon) - This insect cuts the plants from the base at night. To control this insect, soak the soil thoroughly with a solution of 0.1 percent chlorpyrifos.
Damping off - This disease is caused by a fungus called Pythium aphanidermantum. Due to this disease, the seeds get infected as soon as they germinate. Sometimes the sprout is unable to come out of the soil and the entire seed rots. The lower part of the stem which is attached to the surface of the soil, rots. Sudden rotting and falling of the plant is the first symptom of wet rot.
How To Raise Carrot
To control this disease, before sowing the seeds should be treated with Captan or Brassicol at the rate of 3 gm/kg of seed. Irrigation should be light.
Bacterial Soft Rot – This disease is spread by a bacterium called Erwinia carotovora. This disease attacks especially on pulpy roots. Due to which the roots start rotting. This disease is more prevalent in such lands which do not have a good drainage system or on this crop sown in low-lying areas.
The following measures should be taken to control this disease –
- Make proper arrangements for drainage of the field.
- Do not spray nitrogenous fertilizers when symptoms of the disease appear.
Carrot Yellows – This is a viral disease. Due to which the middle part of the leaves becomes spotted. Old leaves turn yellow and curl. Roots become smaller in size and their taste becomes bitter.
To prevent this disease, 0.02% Malathion should be sprayed so that the insects spreading this disease die.
Harvesting - The time of digging carrots depends on the varieties being grown. However, when the upper ends of the roots of carrots reach 2.5-3.5 cm in diameter, then digging should be done.
Yield - The yield of carrots depends on many factors. These include fertility of the soil, variety grown, method of sowing and care of the crop. Usually, 200-250 quintals of yield is obtained per hectare.
How Do Carrot Grow
Seed Production
Carrot is a cross-pollinated crop, which is also pollinated by bees and ordinary flies. Its inflorescence is in the form of a compound umbel which is called head. Seeds of Asian varieties are produced well in plain areas and seeds of European varieties are produced in mountainous areas. Carrot seeds are produced by the following two methods—
1. Producing seeds from seeds (Sced to Seed Method),
2. Producing seeds from roots (Root to Seed Method).
In this method, healthy and good carrots are uprooted in February and their lower end is cut by 10 cm. Then they should be planted in the already prepared field at a fixed distance. For foundation seeds and certified seeds, the cleavage distance is kept 1000 and 800 meters respectively. After this, irrigation should be done. The seed crop is harvested in April. Then it should be dried, threshed and kept in a safe place. More seeds are obtained from the first method.
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