Temperate Vegetables

PESTS

Carrot Rust Fly:

• Larva burrows into the roots, often causing it to become misshapen and subject to decay, leaves become rusty or dried.

Control measures:

• Mix folidol M (2%) or malathion dust (5%) @ 20-25kg/ha in the soil at the time of soil preparation.

Aphids

• These are small in size, both adults and nymphs suck sap from leaves and flowers due to which, the plant become weak and leaves curl.

Control measures:

• Spray malathion (0.05%) at 15days interval on root crop. On seed crop, spray oxy-demeton methyl (0.025%).

Mustard saw fly: (Athalia promixa)

• Adult feed on pods and leaves which show holes.
• Seed crop is also adversely affected.

Control measures:

• Mix folidol M (2%) or malathion dust (5%) @ 20-25kg/ha in the soil at the time of soil preparation.

Physiological Disorders
1. Root splitting: Splitting or cracking of carrot roots is a major problem.

Possible Reasons:

• Wider spacing as larger roots tend to split more
• Dry weather followed by wet weather is conducive to cracking of roots.
• Increases as the amount of N in the soil increases
• Early cultivars tend to split more readily than late ones.

Correction:

• Maintain optimum moisture in the field
• Harvest the crop at right maturity stage.
• Grow resistant varieties
• Sow the seeds at close spacing
• Supply recommended dose of nitrogen

2. Cavity spot

• It appears as a cavity in the cortex. In most cases, the subtending epidermis collapses to form a pitted lesion.

Possible Reasons:

• Calcium deficiency associated with an increased accumulation of K and decreased accumulation of Ca.

Correction:

• Incorporate calcium containing fertilizers in the soil.
• Harvest the roots at optimum maturity.

3. Forking: A common disorder in carrot and radish formed by the enlargement of secondary root growth.

Possible Reasons:

• Excess moisture during the root development is the cause. It occurs on heavy soils due to soil compactness.

Correction:

• Avoid excessive moisture
• Avoid heavy soil for root production