Scientific Name: Dactus carota.
Family: Apiaceae.
Chromosome Number: 2n = 18.
Carrot is a rich source of carotene and is sometimes used for colouring buffer and other food particles. Carrot tops are used for extraction of leaf protein, as fodder, and also for poultry feed.
Carrots possess many medicinal properties and are used in Ayurvedic medicine. Carrots are a rich source of b-carotene and contain appreciable amounts of thiamine and riboflavin.
The Carrot crop is the second most popular vegetable in the world after potato. The major carrot growing states in India are Karnataka, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
Carrot Varieties : Samba, Sunrise F1, Nantes, Chanteny, Amsterdam, Minicolor, Super koruda, Napolitana F1.
Soil Requirement For Carrot Farming
Carrots can be grown well in a wide variety of soils. However, commercial carrot farming’s ideal soil should be deep, loose, well-drained, and rich in humus.
Loamy or sandy loam soils with sufficient quantities of humus are well suited to the cultivation of carrots.
The ideal pH range for obtaining a good yield is 5.5-6.5. Soils with pH up to 7.0 can also be used, but too alkaline or acidic soils are unsuitable for this crop.
Climate Requirement For Carrot Farming
Carrot is a cold-weather crop, and it also does well in warm climates.
The optimum temperatures for getting excellent growth is between 16 to 20°C, while temperatures above 28°C drastically reduce top growth.
Temperatures lower than 16°C affect the development of color and result in long slender roots, while higher temperatures produce shorter and thicker roots.
The temperatures between 15 and 20°C result in attractive roots with excellent red color and quality.
Time of Sowing
August-September is best time for sowing local (desi) varieties of carrots whereas October-November month is ideal for European varieties.
Spacing
Use row to row spacing of 45 cm and plant to plant spacing of 7.5 cm.
Sowing Depth
For good growth, sow seeds at depth of 1.5 cm.
Method of Sowing
For sowing use dibbling method and also use broadcasting method.
Seed Rate
For sowing of one acre land seed rate of 4-5 kg is sufficient.
Seed Treatment
Before sowing soaked seeds in water for 12-24 hours. It will increased germination percentage.
Land Preparation
Weed free – fine tilth by thorough ploughing 2 – 3 times, with deep plough. To a depth of at least 30 cm is important to allow good root development.
Seed treatment
Seeds are soaked in Treat 50 gm + Bactosan 20 gm + Humic Acid [Humesol] 100 ml per kg of seeds [mixture before sowing]. This will avoid the soil borne diseases like damping off, wilts and root rots of mustard crop.
Propagation
Carrots are propagated using seeds. The carrot seeds that are Sowing or broadcast in the field with a seed rate of 5 to 6 kg /ha or it can be up to 6 to 9 kg/ha this depends upon carrot variety. The seeds are small, approximately 800 per gram. They remain viable for nearly three years and up to 85% germination.
However, the germination of some local varieties may be inadequate.
Therefore, it is necessary to ascertain the germination percentage when calculating the seed requirement. It is also necessary for the best results to procure clean, healthy, and viable seeds from reliable sources. The seeds take approximately 7-21 days for complete germination.
The best seed germination occurs at 20-30°C. The best time for Carrots cultivation in India is in September.
Fertilization Management In Carrot Farming
Fertilizer recommendations should be based on soil analyses.
Farm Yard Manure at the rate of 30 tonnes per hectare is applied at the final plowing, and dosage of 40 to 60 kg nitrogen, 25 to 50 kg of phosphorus, and 90 to 110 kg of potassium per hectare is recommended has a basal dosage 2-3 tons of farmyard manure at the time of land preparation along with 50 kg nitrogen, 40 kg phosphorus, and 50 kg potash per hectare.
Half the dose of nitrogen and the full dose of phosphorus and potassium should be applied before sowing. The remaining nitrogen should be given 56 weeks after germination.
Carrot is a heavy potassium feeder. Potassium deficiency can affect the quality of the roots and disturb the overall metabolism of the plant. Potassium-deficient roots are less sweet, and the flesh does not have the desired luster.
Irrigation
The first irrigation should be light and carried out immediately after sowing.
Subsequent irrigations are given as needed.
Too much moisture causes short carrots with light colour and a larger diameter. The frequency of irrigation depends upon soil type, season, and variety.
In general, one irrigation every 4-5 days in summer and 10-15 days in winter provides adequate moisture for the crop.
During the rainy season, only occasional irrigations are needed. Water stress should be avoided during root development to prevent cracking of the roots.
Water Management
Carrot needs a lot of moisture during the first 30 days of growth. Irregular watering leads to cracking and forking. Water every 5-7 days or as needed.
Put mulch after planting and water the beds. Mulch with rice straws or any other mulching materials to minimize weed growth and moisture loss. After two weeks or after the seeds have germinated, remove the mulch and put
mulch between rows.
Weed Control
Weeds compete with the crop; therefore, Weeds can be controlled mechanically, by hand, mulching, and chemically or by combining all these methods.
Earthing up
It should be done at 60 to 70 days after sowing to help in the development of roots. The soil is earthed up covered top of developing roots to prevent loss of colour of tops; the tops become green and toxic when exposed to sunlight.
Harvesting
Early carrots are harvested when they are partially developed. For distinct markets, otherwise, they are retained in the soil till they reach the full maturity stage they should not be retained full maturity stage because they become hard and is unfit for consumption. Carrots are harvested when the roots are about 1.8 cm or larger in diameter at the upper end. The soil may be loosened with a special plow (carrot lifter) or an ordinary plow. The field is irrigated once a day before harvesting to facilitate harvest.
After harvesting, the carrots are placed in a packing house in crates before washing. After that, carefully wash Carrots and sort them by size before packaging.
Yield
Carrot yield is deferring varies to the variety. In tropical types varies, it gives around 20 to 30 tons per hectare, and in temperate type, variety may give 10 to 15 tons per hectare.