Carrots are cultivated all over India, people use carrots both raw and cooked, carrots contain Vitamin A and carotene, which are very beneficial for the body. Orange carrots are high in carotene, green carrot leaves contain many nutrients like protein, minerals, vitamins, etc. which provide nutrition to animals. Chicken fodder can be made from green carrot leaves. Carrots are grown the most in Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana.
Suitable climate for carrot cultivation.
Carrots are mostly grown in cold climates. Carrot growth slows down due to high temperatures and color changes. For this, sandy loam and loamy soil is best. Drainage of water in the soil is very important.
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Carrot Varieties
There are many varieties of carrots like Carrot No. 29, Pusa Kesar, Pusa Meghali, Selection 233, Gentney, Arliments, Emperor, Ments of Lag, Pusa Yamdagni and Gino.
Field Varieties
In preparation for the field for sowing carrots, the first plowing should be done with a soil-turning plow. After this, the field should be made friable by doing two to three plowings with a cultivator or local plow. 200 to 250 quintals of rotten cow dung should be mixed well in the land while preparing the field. By doing this, the yield of fruits is higher.
Seeds and Seed Sowing.
To cultivate carrots, seeds of improved varieties should be selected. In carrot farming, 5 to 6 kg seeds are required per hectare for sowing on ridges. Before sowing, it should be treated with 2.5 grams of Thiram per kg of seeds. Carrots are sown from August to October in Northern India. European varieties are sown in November. In hilly areas, sowing is done from March to June. It should be sown on lines or in ridges at a distance of 35 to 45 cm. The seeds should be sown at a depth of 1.5 to 2 cm, the height of the ridges should be kept at 20 to 25 cm and the distance from plant to plant should be kept at 4 to 5 cm.
Manure and Fertilizer management in crops.
200 to 250 quintals of rotten cow dung should be given while preparing the field and 50 kg nitrogen, 40 kg phosphorus, and 45 kg potash should be given as elements per hectare. Half the quantity of nitrogen and the full quantity of phosphorus and potash should be given before sowing. The remaining half quantity of nitrogen is given to the standing crop twice. 1/4 quantity of nitrogen should be given initially at the time of growth of leaves and 1/4 quantity of nitrogen should be given at the time of growth of roots.
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Crop Irrigation Management.
After sowing, first irrigation should be done in the drain so that moisture remains in the ridges. Later irrigation should be done at an interval of 8 to 10 days. In summer, irrigation should be done at an interval of 4 to 5 days. The field should never dry up, otherwise the yield reduces.
Weed Control.
2 to 3 weeding should be done in the entire crop, at the same time thinning should be done and a distance of 4 to 5 cm should be maintained from the plants. To control weeds, a 3.5-liter stamp should be sprayed in the field immediately after sowing, while there should be sufficient moisture in the field.
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Carrot and digging production.
Only when the roots of a carrot become edible, it should be dug with a trowel so that the roots are not cut and the quality remains good so that it can get a good price in the market. It should be cleaned and sold in the market. The yield of roots in carrots depends on the variety, such as the Asiatic type yields 250 to 300 quintals per hectare and the European type yields 100 to 150 quintals per hectare.