Preventing Alternaria On Carrots

Preventing Alternaria On Carrots

- Bill Kerr

On finding diseased leaves on carrots, many farmers assume the problem is Alternaria leaf blight. However, this is not the only leaf blight that infects carrots. There are also three species of Alternaria.

These diseases can be seed borne, although this is less common these days than in the past when open-pollinated seed was used exclusively and there was much competition between companies to produce the cheapest seed.

Today, most farmers plant expensive hybrids that are exclusive to certain companies. These producers are very mindful of seed quality, and take great care with production and seed treatments to ensure farmers’ success, and so gain a repeat order the following year.

STEMS AND ROOTS

One Alternaria species not immediately recognised is A. radicina.