[3759allen]

i've noticed over the last couple of weeks that the leaves on some of my parsnips and carrots seem to be drying up and dying off.

the worst parsnips are ones that i sowed late and are in the poly tunnel in a bed with carrots. the worst carrots seem to be out side in a bed with parsnips, these carrots are pretty much ready to harvest so not too worried but i have noticed it starting to happen to younger later sown carrots in the poly tunnel.

i think they have had enough water and not got too hot, especially recently, the temperature in the tunnel is a bit more sensible now.

i have attached a couple of photos, not the best but hopefully you can get enough of an idea what they look like.

thanks in advance for any help.

[Beetroot Queen]

i have this too, not happy as its the first year we managed to get the things to take

[BabbyAnn]

It looks very advanced, but I'm wondering if it is Celery Leaf Spot (a fungal disease that affects all the Umbelliferae plants that include celery, carrots, parsnip)  Did they start off looking a bit like potato blight on the edges of leaves or distinct brown spots?   Within the confines of a polytunnel, the spores will have spread like wild fire in the humidty - it might be too late to treat now, but try a fungicide.  You should also be prepared to sterilize the polytunnel/soil after lifting the last of the crops and avoid growing any of the similar crops in there for a while

[3759allen]

rather try and explain i have taken some close ups of some plants that aren't as badly affected.

not all the plants are affected, some are pretty much knackered (original pictures), some are just starting to look poorly and some appear to be fine (for now at least).

the beds they are being grown in are quite small and the plants are pretty close together so i wouldn't say it's spreading that quickly at the moment. i'm hoping the the healthy ones might hang on to at least give crops of some baby carrots and snips.

the worst ones affected seem to be the snips nearest the door of the tunnel, with tomatoes and a small tray of spring onions the nearest crop to them (path in between). i can't see this affecting them but thought i'd mention it in case it will help with diagnosis.

thanks for the replies

[BabbyAnn]

The photo on the right does look like Celery Leaf Spot - as for whether you will get any root crops, you might find the older ones will have established good roots and will still be edible (I got it a couple of years ago and the parsnips were fine)  The younger ones on the other hand may struggle - it's the equivalent of having no leaves at all so won't be able to photosynthesise and store food in the roots.

You could try nipping off some of the affected leaves but be aware that you may inadvertently spread the spores to the others.  Or go for the fungicide as already mentioned.

[3759allen]

thanks for that.

i will order some fungicide asap and ask nearer the time the best way to sterilize the tunnel when everything has finished.