Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What's wrong with my plant? > Vegetable > Carrot > Soft and watery root
Carrot > Root > Soft and watery root
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White mold
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
- Roots quickly become soft and watery
- Leaves are dark brown and covered in fluffy white fungal growth in humid conditions
- Infected roots may first appear healthy but quickly turn gray
- Cottony white fungal growth develops on root
- Hard black round to oblong sclerotia form in white fungal growth
- More information on White Mold
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Bacterial soft rot
Erwinia carotovora subsp. Carotovora
- Rotted sections of the root may dissolve into liquid when carrots are pulled
- Dark sunken, soft mushy cavities may form in the root
- Eventually part or all of the root becomes soft, watery, and slimy
- When root damage is severe, leaves turn yellow and wilt
- A foul odor may be present with the rot
- Common in very wet heavy soils
- More information on Bacterial soft rot
