Carrots are one of the most sought after vegetables. The root crop does not require much care and can withstand adverse climatic conditions. However, there are some problems with growing carrots that can lead to crop loss.
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Diseases and pests
The main danger to the root crop is various diseases and harmful insects. Infections occur with improper care of the garden. If the carrots are not watered in time, it is possible to provoke a decrease in the protective barrier in the plant cells. As a result, diseases arise. Weak specimens are susceptible to fungal infections.
The most common disease is rot. If the seeds were infected with black rot, then the leaves first lose their natural color, then dark spots form on the root crops. In the affected areas, carrots become soft, covered with black mold. Infected fruits should not be eaten. They should be sorted out and destroyed immediately. Otherwise, the spores of the fungus will be spread throughout the site to other plants.
Often the vegetables are struck by scab. It looks like brown growths on root vegetables.
White rot is characterized by the defeat of the entire underground part of the vegetable. Light mildew spots resemble cotton wool in structure. Vegetables have an unpleasant odor and become soft. You cannot eat them.
With bacteriosis, carrots seem whole. But a putrid smell indicates the development of a fungal infection. After a while, red-orange spots appear on the roots, which quickly affect the entire surface of the vegetable. The carrots become soft, friable and gradually rot completely.
The reasons for the development of diseases are poor-quality planting material. Rot can affect vegetables if it is rainy, cold weather for a long time or if the rules for watering plants are violated. A lack of potassium or an excess of nitrogen weakens the culture and leads to a decrease in resistance.
To avoid fungal attack, the seeds should be disinfected before planting. Compliance with the watering regime will prevent disease. To prevent rot, the beds are regularly weeded, getting rid of weeds. A month before harvesting, carrots can be treated with Bordeaux liquid. A root crop needs a nutrient medium. On acidic soils, the culture does not grow well. It is recommended to change the place for the garden. Carrots are best planted after siderates such as mustard, rye, oats.
If the rows between the plants are not weeded, the weeds can attract pests. The most dangerous is the carrot fly. It infects vegetables by laying larvae in root crops. As a result, the already harvested crop can be completely ruined. Signs of pest activity - purple-red color of the leaves. After a few days, they turn yellow and dry. The root crop loses its taste and beneficial properties. You cannot eat it. Fighting carrot fly is difficult, so it is better to carry out prevention:
- vegetables are planted as early as possible;
- the beds are constantly cleared of weeds;
- the land between the rows is treated with tobacco dust and sand;
- garlic and onions are planted next to carrots - crops scare away the pest;
- marigolds and calendula attract insects that feed on carrot flies.
Other problems
Root crops that crack are common. This is a signal that there is an excess of nitrogen in the soil. Such plants should be fed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. It is recommended to reduce the acidity level of the soil. You can use chalk for this.
Irregular carrots with many small outgrowths grow in poor soils. The soil in the garden should be nourished with useful trace elements. However, fresh manure cannot be applied to the soil during the period of root crop formation. Organic fertilizer is added to feed other plants, and the next season, carrots are planted in this place.
Healthy vegetables are often not tasty. This happens when agricultural technology is violated. If part of the root crop comes to the surface, a poisonous substance is formed in the tissues of the plant. The taste of the carrots becomes bitter. This can be prevented by hilling plants in a timely manner and monitoring the watering regime.
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