How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS

Root dieback of carrots produces excessively branched or stubbed roots. The fungus kills young taproots less than 2 weeks after seed germination, reducing root length and/or stimulating multiple root formation (forking). Pythium spp. can also cause damping-off of carrots. Forking and stubbing can also be caused by hardpans, nematodes, and excessive water, among other factors.

COMMENTS ON THE DISEASE

Only very young tissue is susceptible. The severity of the disease may be dependent on the density of thick-walled Pythium oospores (overwintering spores) or sporangia (a structure that encloses spores) in field soils. The pathogens are spread in water and soil. Very wet soil conditions favor the disease.

MANAGEMENT

Cultural Control

Avoid overwatering and provide good drainage. Rotating to small grains might reduce soil populations of some Pythium spp.

Organically Acceptable Methods

Cultural controls are acceptable for use on organically grown produce.

Treatment Decisions

In fields with a history of Pythium-related problems, make a preplant treatment.

Common name		Amount/Acre	R.E.I.+	P.H.I.+
(trade name)			(hours)	(days)
The following materials are listed in order of usefulness in an IPM program, taking into account environmental impact. Not all registered pesticides are listed. Always read the label of the product being used.
A.	MEFENOXAM
	(Ridomil Gold SL)	1–2 pt	48	7
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NAME (NUMBER1): Phenylamide (4)
	COMMENTS: Preplant application. Do not apply more than 2.8 pt/acre/crop.
B.	CYAZOFAMID
	(Ranman)	6.0 fl oz	12	14
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NAME (NUMBER1): ubiquinone reductase, Qi site (21)
C.	FLUOPICOLIDE
	(Presidio)	3-4 fl oz	12	14
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NAME (NUMBER1): Mitosis and cell division (43)
D.	METAM SODIUM*
	(Vapam, others)	Label rates	see label	NA
	COMMENTS: Apply preplant by sprinkler, drip irrigation, or flood irrigation. Check label for rates and preplant timing. Fumigants such as metam sodium are a source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) but are minimally reactive with other air contaminants that form ozone. Fumigate only as a last resort when other management strategies have not been successful or are not available.
E.	PHOSPHOROUS ACID
	(Fosphite)	Label rates	4	NA
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NAME (NUMBER1): Phosphonate (33)
	COMMENTS: Although proven effective in other areas, results from California studies have been mixed.
+	Restricted entry interval (R.E.I.) is the number of hours (unless otherwise noted) from treatment until the treated area can be safely entered without protective clothing. Preharvest interval (P.H.I.) is the number of days from treatment to harvest. In some cases the REI exceeds the PHI. The longer of two intervals is the minimum time that must elapse before harvest.
*	Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use.
1	Group numbers are assigned by the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) according to different modes of actions (for more information, see http://www.frac.info/). Fungicides with a different group number are suitable to alternate in a resistance management program. In California, make no more than one application of fungicides with mode of action Group numbers 1, 4, 9, 11, or 17 before rotating to a fungicide with a different mode of action Group number; for fungicides with other Group numbers, make no more than two consecutive applications before rotating to fungicide with a different mode of action Group number.
NA	Not applicable.

PUBLICATION

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Carrot
UC ANR Publication 3438

Diseases

J. Nunez, UC Cooperative Extension, Kern County
R. M. Davis, Plant Pathology, UC Davis
T. A. Turini, UC Cooperative Extension, Fresno County
Acknowledgment for contributions to Diseases:
B. W. Falk, Plant Pathology, UC Davis
F. F. Laemmlen, UC Cooperative Extension, Santa Barbara County

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