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Root rot
Fungal diseaseMedium impact
Fungal decay of carrot roots caused by waterlogging or soil pathogens, particularly in heavy, poorly drained soils. Affected roots may be soft, discoloured, or malformed.
Currently in peak season - extra vigilance worthwhile.
Key facts
- Type
- Fungal disease
- Affects
- Carrot
- Active season
- May - Sep
- Peak season
- Jun - Aug
- Vulnerable stages
- Growing · Harvesting
- Spread rate
- slow
- If confirmed
- Act soon
Signs & symptoms
- -soft or discoloured areas on roots, especially at the crown
- -rotting smell when roots are lifted
- -plants wilting or collapsing despite adequate watering
- -roots with cavities, splitting, or fuzzy mould growth
Management
Do now
- -Remove and bin affected plants - do not compost
- -Reduce watering in the affected area and allow soil to dry
Prevention
- -Improve soil drainage before sowing - carrots need free-draining, deep soil
- -Avoid growing carrots in heavy clay or waterlogged beds without improvement
- -Rotate carrots to a fresh bed each year
- -Avoid overwatering, particularly in cooler weather when plant water demand is lower
Further reading
- -Root rot in carrots is almost always linked to waterlogged or compacted soil - the solution is primarily structural (drainage) rather than chemical
- -Raised beds or deeply dug, grit-improved soil dramatically reduces risk