Roots of carrots split or become stubby, which pest is responsible?

Roots of carrots split or become stubby, which pest is responsible?

• A. Nematodes
• B. Pocket gophers
• C. Fungi
• D. Bacteria

Answer: (A)

Nematode feeding on carrot roots distorts their development, producing split, forked, or stubby roots. These tiny soil dwellers damage the root tips and cortex, interrupting normal cell growth so the root can’t elongate properly, leading to shortened, misshapen roots. Fungi and bacteria tend to cause rots and tissue decay, not the characteristic splitting or stubby shape, and pocket gophers damage roots by chewing and tunneling rather than altering root form in this specific way.

Nematode feeding on carrot roots distorts their development, producing split, forked, or stubby roots. These tiny soil dwellers damage the root tips and cortex, interrupting normal cell growth so the root can’t elongate properly, leading to shortened, misshapen roots. Fungi and bacteria tend to cause rots and tissue decay, not the characteristic splitting or stubby shape, and pocket gophers damage roots by chewing and tunneling rather than altering root form in this specific way.