The fungus Alternaria dauci is one of the most damaging pathogens in carrots, killing leaves above the ground and sometimes rotting the vegetables growing in the soil. Pesticides can be used to control the fungi, but they’re not widely available in developing countries and can’t be used in organic systems. Purdue University scientists have another solution. Rather than spray above ground, they’ve found that cultivating microbes under the ground can help keep carrots safe from Alternaria dauci.
June 30, 2020