Brown and crispy Carrot Tops.

[Emagggie]

We all seem to be hit by this nasty looking ailment on our site. The leaves of the carrots have withered and died! Some people think it's caused by a fly (not the usual), but it looks like a blight or canker to me. The roots seem to be ok so far. Has any one else experienced this?

[Emagggie]

[Emagggie]

Anyone at all? Any ideas please??

[betula]

Not seen that before.Will have a look in my books later :)

[Emagggie]

Thanks Betula, I have googled it but only managed to find anything similar from America! I will take a pic tomorrow.

[betula]

Well I have looked in my RHS book on pests and diseases and I can not find anything matching your description.

We have

Carrot motley dwarf disease

carrot fly

sclerotinia disease

Violet root rot

soft rot

None of these match your description.

I will keep looking. :)

[Emagggie]

Here is a pic of the poor carrots!

[twinkletoes]

Could be carrot leaf blight.  Check out this website - pictures look similar to yours.

http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/factsheets/Carrot_Leaf_Blight.pdf

twinkletoes

[Emagggie]

Thankyou, Twinkletoes, printed and off to read with a cuppa :)

[manicscousers]

looks almost like poison spray, glad the roots are ok, maggie  :)

[Emagggie]

Yes Mal, the roots seem ok  :) I think it is a form of blight and will research further. I think we all need to know if it is, and what to do if anything with future sowings. Even the humble carrot is not immune it seems :(

[betula]

Yes,strange it is not in the RHS book, ???

[Emagggie]

This looks like the best info I can find.http://www.niab.com/services/disease/integrated-crop-management/carrot-alternaria.html Another site recommended Orlando Gold as being resistant, so I'll now look for those.
Thanks for your help folks. :)