Carrot Fertiliser and Crop Nutrition

Nitrogen

The role of nitrogen in carrots:

Nitrogen, whilst not needed in large quantities in carrot crops, is an essential nutrient for crop yield, quality and health. In addition to it’s role in effective chlorophyl function, it plays an important role in carotene production and colour of the crop.

Identifying Nitrogen Deficiency in carrots:

Carrots suffering from nitrogen deficiency generally show slower, stunted growth. As a result, the plants may appear smaller than expected for their age, with limited development of both foliage and roots. The foliage can show yellowing (chlorosis) of older leaves.

The yellowing typically starts from the tips or edges of the leaves and progresses inward towards the veins. This occurs because nitrogen is crucial for chlorophyll production and reduced chlorophyll levels lead to leaf discoloration. Nitrogen deficiency can also result in a smaller canopy, as it generally promotes leaf growth and vigour.

Utilising Nitrogen in carrots:

Nitrogen can be applied to carrots within the base fertiliser requirement either within the Multiflo liquid NPKS fertiliser or within the Nitroflo liquid nitrogen plus sulphur fertiliser. Liquid nitrogen is an excellent choice for carrot growth as it’s instantly available to the crop, providing consistent responsive nutrition evenly across the field.

Folex N

Folex N is a liquid foliar fertiliser containing urea nitrogen for carrots. Carrot growers should apply a apply a maximum of 4 applications during the bulking phase for baker/ware crops.

Phosphorus

The role of phosphorus in carrots:

Carrots are root vegetables and a sufficient supply of phosphorus early in their growth stage encourages robust root growth. This is important for the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients from the soil and leads to higher yield and quality at harvest.

Carrot crops that receive sufficient phosphorus are better equipped to withstand environmental stresses such as drought, disease or temperature fluctuations.

Identifying phosphorus deficiency in carrots:

One characteristic symptom of phosphorus deficiency is the development of purple or reddish discolouration on the leaves, particularly on the undersides or margins. This discolouration is due to the accumulation of anthocyanin pigments in response to phosphorus stress.

Utilising phosphorus in carrots:

Phosphorus can be applied to carrots in a 100% water soluble form utilising the Multiflo grades of NPKS fertilisers. The liquid, soluble formulation aids instant uptake by the crop.

Polymex

Polymex is an additive that can be included with your Multiflo P application to aid the utilisation of phosphorus, it keeps it mobile within the soil for longer.

DP98

DP98 is potassium phosphite formulated to maximise the benefit of phosphite application on root growth in young plants

Vitomex

Vitomex is a unique nitrate free foliar phosphite with chelated micronutrients. It’s used to improve plant health, rooting action, yield and post harvest quality.

Potassium

The role of potassium in carrots:

Carrots have a high potassium requirement. Potassium helps regulate water uptake and distribution within carrot plants. It aids in maintaining proper water balance, which is crucial for turgor pressure and overall plant health.

Carrots need sufficient potassium to withstand drought stress and ensure optimal water utilisation. Potassium also facilitates the movement of nutrients within the plant, including the uptake and translocation of other essential nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus and adequate potassium levels enhance the vigor and disease resistance of carrot plants.

Identifying potassium deficiency in carrots:

Potassium-deficient plants are more susceptible to diseases, pests, and environmental stresses, which can compromise crop yield and quality. One of the characteristic symptoms of potassium deficiency is the browning or scorching of leaf margins.

The edges of older leaves may turn brown or appear scorched, starting from the tips and progressing down leaf margins and inward.

Utilising potassium in carrots:

Potassium can be applied within the Multiflo NPKS range of liquid fertilisers, providing the crop with a healthy dose of liquid nutrition alongside other crucial elements for crop establishment and growth.

DP98

DP98 is potassium phosphite formulated to maximise the benefit of phosphite application on root growth in young plants

Vitomex

Vitomex is a unique nitrate free foliar phosphite containing potassium. It’s used to improve plant health, rooting action, yield and post harvest quality.

Boron

The role of boron (B) in carrots:

Boron plays a key role in the formation and stability of cell walls in plants. Carrot roots require strong and resilient cell walls to support growth and withstand external pressures. Boron also influences the uptake and transport of calcium within plant tissues and calcium is essential for cell division, membrane integrity and overall plant structure. Boron deficiency can therefor lead to impaired calcium utilisation, affecting various metabolic processes.

Identifying boron deficiency in carrots:

The classic symptom of boron deficiency on carrots is known as ‘5 o’clock shadow’, where a particular discoloration or darkening of the outer surface (cortex) of carrot root results in many small brown spots developing, resembling a shadowy appearance or darkened layer around the root.

Utilising boron in carrots:

Folex B

Folex B can improve crop performance by reducing or preventing boron deficiency. Folex B should be applied to carrots as a 2 spray programme where deficiency exists.

Calcium

The role of calcium (Ca) in carrots:

Calcium is essential for promoting healthy growth, strong root development, and disease resistance in carrot plants.

Identifying calcium deficiency in carrots:

Although it is generally freely available in most soils, calcium may be deficient in acidic soils or where boron is deficient, due to the role of boron in transporting calcium in the plant and creating cell walls. Ensuring optimal boron levels in the soil can indirectly support calcium availability and utilisation within carrot plants. Conversely, calcium deficiency can negatively impact boron uptake and utilisation due to altered physiological processes.

One of the classic symptoms of calcium deficiency is the development of necrotic (dead) areas at the tips of older leaves. This necrosis typically starts at the leaf margins and progresses inward, leading to a scorched appearance. The leaves of calcium-deficient carrots are often curled or distorted at the margins, due to the role of calcium in cell wall strength.

Utilising calcium in carrots:

CalMax Ultra

CalMax Ultra is a unique formulation containing calcium nitrate and AXM, formulated for foliar application. CalMax Ultra ensures calcium is effectively transported into plat cells. 2-4 applications should be applied during the carrot growing season.

Sulphur

The role of sulphur in carrots:

Sulphur has important roles to play in amino acid and chlorophyl formation and boosts disease resistance and aids nitrogen and phosphorus uptake, so it is important for the overall health and performance of the crop.

Identifying sulphur deficiency in carrots:

Sulphur-deficient carrot plants often show a general yellowing of younger leaves, particularly between the veins and although this can resemble nitrogen deficiency, it typically affects younger leaves first.

Utilising sulphur in carrots:

Sulphur is available for inclusion within both Multiflo and Nitroflo liquid fertilisers for carrots, aiding utilisation of the other nutrients applied.