(Jeju=Yonhap News) By Goh Seong-sik = The Jeju Agricultural Technology Institute's Eastern Agricultural Technology Center urged thorough cultivation management in preparation for heat waves and other climate conditions ahead of the full-scale carrot sowing season on the 22nd.
Jeju carrots, one of the main winter vegetables produced in Jeju, are primarily sown from late July to August 15th, but each year this period is often characterized by repeated heat waves and localized heavy rainfall, causing difficulties in germination.
Last year, poor germination due to heat waves and drought led to reseeding, and damage occurred with leaves withering due to salty sea winds from typhoons and strong winds.
The Eastern Agricultural Technology Center advised carefully selecting sowing times while monitoring weather forecasts to ensure good germination and providing sufficient water from sowing until germination.
They also emphasized the need to focus on drainage channel maintenance to prevent flooding from localized heavy rainfall.
When carrot seedlings sprout, there are concerns about disease in hot and humid climates, so they recommended immediately applying appropriate pesticides and using sprinklers and other irrigation facilities to remove salt to reduce sea wind damage.
Go Bo-seong, head of the Specialized Crop Cultivation Team at the Eastern Agricultural Technology Center, stated, "Damage from natural disasters like heat waves, drought, and typhoons occurs annually during carrot cultivation," adding, "Careful preparation for meteorological disasters is necessary for stable carrot production."