Celery

Description

Celery, Apium graveolens, is an aromatic biennial plant in the family Apicaceae grown primarily for its stalk and taproot which are used as vegetables. The rhombic leaves of the celery plant grow in a rosette and are 3–6 cm (1.2–2.4 in) long and 2–4 cm (0.8–1.6 in) broad on a branched central stem which is highly ribbed. The plant produces creamy white flowers in dense umbels (an umbrella of short flower stalks) and produces broad oval seeds 1.5–2 mm (<0.1 in) long and wide. Celery is a biennial plant that is commonly grown as an annual and it can reach a height of about 1 m. Celery may also be referred to as celeriac which is the name given to the root and is believed to have originated in the Eastern Mediterranean.


Uses

Celery is eaten around the world as a vegetable. Both the taproot and leaves are often used. Temperate countries grow celery for its seeds, which are often mixed with salt to make celery salt for seasoning.


Propagation

Basic requirements Celery is a cool season vegetable which grows best in cool climates in well-draining, fertile soils with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8.. Celery plants grow optimally in cool, moist locations and will tolerate some shade but will not tolerate heat. The plants require constant moisture and can tolerate temperatures between 5 and 27°C (41–80.6°F) with the optimum for growth being between 15–21°C (59–69.8°F). If temperatures drop below 12.7°C (55°F) then the plants will benefit from protective coverings to prevent the plants from bolting (going to seed). Sowing seeds For best results celery should usually be started indoors or in a glasshouse and transplanted to the garden or field. Germination of celery seeds is slow and the seeds should be planted 10 to 12 weeks before the last Spring frost. Soaking seeds in warm water overnight prior to planting can increase germination success. Plant seeds in seedling flats containing a good quality sterile seed starting mix by lately sprinkling a pinch of seeds across the soil surface and covering with a thin layer of starting mix or vermiculite. Place trays in a warm location inside the house or in the glasshouse and keep well-watered. Do not allow the trays to dry out. It is important to keep the soil at the temperature between 12.7 and 21°C (55 and 70°F). The optimum temperature for germination is 60° to 70° (15° to 21° C) and the seedlings should emerge within 2–3 weeks. The seedlings can be potted into individual pots when the are about 5 cm (2 in) tall. Transplanting Seedlings are ready to transplant when they are 15 cm (6 in) tall and have been hardened off. Prepare the transplant site in advance of planting by working fertilizer or compost into the soil and plant the seedlings when the weather has settled after the last frost. Seedling should be planted at the same depth as their previous container and should be spaced 15–20 cm (6–8 in) apart in rows spaced 60–90 cm (2–3 ft) apart. General care and maintenance Celery is a very heavy feeder and should be fed every 10–14 days with a balanced fertilizer. The plants require constant moisture and should be provided with at least 1 inch of water per week. A layer of mulch spread around the plants helps to conserve the moisture in the soil and prevents weeds. Any weeds should be gently removed from around the plants. If temperatures are forecast to drop below 12.7°C (55°F) then the plants should be protected with cloches to prevent them developing weak stalks. Prolonged exposure to temperatures below this threshold will result in bolting. Blanching Blanching is the act of deliberately covering plant parts to prevent photosynthesis, thus keeping the parts pale in color. Many people choose to blanch celery stalks to prevent them becoming bitter. Self-blanching varieties are also available. To blanch celery, the soil can simply be mounded around the stalks to just below the leaves. This can be done gradually as the plants grow, or about two weeks prior to harvest. Alternatively, newspaper or cardboard can be tied around the stalks or boards can be erected around the plants to block out sunlight. Harvesting Celery can begin to be harvested when the stalks are about 20 cm (8 in) tall. Unblanched celery can be harvested as needed by cutting stalks from the outside in. Blanched celery can be harvested by cutting the plant just below the soil line. The plants can be kept in the garden until Fall and will tolerate a light frost but not continuous heavy frosts. If uncovered, the stalks will grow darker in color and the resultant texture will be more fibrous than the young stalks.


References

CABI Crop Protection Compendium. (2008). Apium graveolens datasheet. Available at: http://www.cabi.org/cpc/datasheet/6599. [Accessed 10 November 14]. Paid subscription required. Davis, R. M. & Raid, R. M. (2002). Compendium of Umbelliferous Crop Diseases. American Phytopathological Society Press. Available at: http://www.apsnet.org/apsstore/shopapspress/Pages/42872.aspx. Available for purchase from APS Press. Stephens, J. M. (2009). Celeriac — Apium graveolens L. var.rapaceum (Mill.) Gaud. Beaup. University of Florida IFAS Extension. Available at: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MV/MV04300.pdf. [Accessed 10 November 14]. Free to access. West, B. & Drost, D. (2010). Celery in the Garden. Utah State University Cooperative Extension. Available at: https://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/HG_Garden_2006-03.pdf. [Accessed 10 November 14]. Free to access.


Common Pests and Diseases

Diseases

Category : Bacterial

Bacterial blight and brown stem Pseudomonas cichorii

Symptoms
Small water-soaked spots on leaf blades which become necrotic and either circular or angular in shape and may develop a chlorotic halo; lesions become dry and rust colored; brown stem symptoms include the development of a brown discoloration of petioles and brown streaks along petioles
Cause
Bacterium
Comments
Close plant spacing favors bacterial spread between plants; bacterium causes severe disease symptoms at temperatures above 30°C (86°F)
Management
Control of disease is difficult and usually involve the application of copper sprays in commercial plantations; some control can be achieved by planting less susceptible celery varieties; mechanical transmission can be reduced by only trimming leaves when foliage is dry

Soft rot Erwinia carotovora
Erwinia chrysanthemi
Pseudomonas marginalis

Symptoms
Small water-soaked lesions near base of petioles which become soft, sunken and brown
Cause
Bacteria
Comments
Bacteria thrive in oxygen depleted plant tissue; disease emergence requires long periods of water saturated soil; bacteria enter plants through wounds
Management
Control relies on the avoidance of conditions conducive to bacterial infection: plant celery in well-draining soils; allow plants to dry before irrigating again; avoid wounding plants during harvest to prevent pst harvest development of disease; disinfect all equipment regularly

Category : Viral

Celery mosaic Celery mosaic virus (CeMv)

Symptoms
Veinclearing and mottling in areas of leaves between veins; leaves may be twisted, curled or cupped; dark green mottling on petioles; young plants may be stunted
Cause
Virus
Comments
Virus is transmitted by several species of aphid; aphids can successfully transmit virus to plants within 30 seconds of feeding and virus symptoms typically develop within 10 days of primary infection
Management
Control relies on the implementation of a 'celery-free' period of 1-3 months and controlling umbelliferous weeds that can act as a source of inoculum

Category : Fungal, Oomycete

Damping-off Pythium spp.
Rhizoctonia solani

Symptoms
Soft, rotting seeds which fail to germinate; rapid death of seedling prior to emergence from soil; collpase of seedlings after they have emerged from the soil caused by water-soaked reddish lesions girdling the stem at the soil line
Cause
Fungi
Comments
Damping-off diseases favor conditions which slow seed germination; fungi can be spread in water, contaminated soil or on equipment
Management
Avoid planting celery in poorly draining, cool, wet soil; planting in raised beds will help with soil drainage; plant high quality seed that germinates quickly; treat seeds with fungicide prior to planting to eliminate fungal pathogens

Category : Fungal

Downy mildew Peronospora umbellifarum

Symptoms
Yellow spots on upper surface of leaves; white fluffy growth on underside of leaves; lesions become darker as the mature
Cause
Fungus
Comments
Disease affects young, tender leaves; disease emergence and spread is favored by prolonged leaf wetness
Management
Plant pathogen-free seed; do not overcrowd plants; rotate crops with non-umbelliferous varieties

Early blight (Cercospora leaf spot, Cercospora blight) Cercospora apii

Symptoms
Small yellow flecks on upper and lower leaf surfaces which enlarge to brown-gray spots with no defined border; lesions develop a papery texture; leaves with many lesions may turn necrotic and die
Cause
Fungus
Comments
Fields become infected through infested seed; disease emergence is favored by warm temperatures and prolonged leaf wetness; disease can be differentiated from late blight by the absence of black fungal fruiting bodies embedded in leaves and the typically larger lesions
Management
In areas where warm temperatures and high humidity favor the emergence of early blight, control must rely on a number of different methods: plant pathogen-free seed; rotate crops; avoid overcrowding plants; plant tolerant or resistant celery varieties when conditions are favorable to early blight emergence; apply appropriate fungicides where available

Fusarium yellows Fusarium oxysporum

Symptoms
Yellowing plants that are severely stunted; roots brown and water-soaked; discoloration of vascular tissue in the stems
Cause
Fungus
Comments
Fungus can persist indefinitely in soil once introduced and is usually introduced via infected transplants or contaminated equipment; disease emergence is favored by a soil pH which is close to 7
Management
The most effective method of controlling Fusarium yellows is to prevent its introduction by regularly sanitizing tools and equipment, planting in pathogen-free soil and planting resistant or tolerant varieties of celery

Late blight (Septoria leaf blight) Septoria apiicola

Symptoms
Irregularly shaped chlorotic spots on leaves and petioles which turn necrotic and coalesce to form large necrotic areas, blighting of leaves and leaf death; back fungal fruiting bodies are visible embedded in leaf tissue and resemble peppercorns
Cause
Fungus
Comments
Fungus can survive on seed for up to 2 years in storage; emergence of disease if favored by heavy rainfall and dense leaf canopies which prevent air circulation; fungus can be spread via rainfall or contaminated irrigation water and by the movement of people, tools or machinery
Management
Plant pathogen-free seed; treat seed with fungicide or hot water prior top planting; if disease is present, avoid working in area when plants are wet; apply appropriate foliar fungicides where available`

Pink rot Sclerotinia scerlotiotum

Symptoms
Soft, brown lesions on base of stalks with pink margin which cause the entire stalk to rot, turn brown and collapse; large black fungal fruiting bodies are visible on infected tissue; when young seedling are infected, the fungus causing damping-off with a watery rot visibly on the seedling stems near the soil line
Cause
Fungus
Comments
Fungus can survive in soil for up to 10 years; disease emergence is favored by soils that are held close to saturation for periods in excess of 2 weeks
Management
Cultural practices play an important role in the control of pink rot: the use of drip irrigation 5-8 cm below the soil surface can provide good control; deep plowing of soil and trimming back foliage to promote air circulation can also be useful; fungicides may be warranted in periods of extended cool, damp weather

Powdery mildew Erisyphe heraclei

Symptoms
Powdery growth on leaves, petioles flowers stalks and bracts; leaves becoming chlorotic; severe infections can cause flowers to become distorted
Cause
Fungus
Comments
Fungus can spread long distances in air; disease emergence is favored by high humidity and moderate temperatures; infection is most severe in shaded areas
Management
Plant tolerant varieties; avoid excess fertilization; protective fungicide applications provide adequate protection; sulfur application can be used in infection occurs early in season

Pests

Category : Insects

Aphids (Carrot-williow aphids, Peach aphid, Hawthorn aohid, Melon aphid) Cavariella aegopodii
Myzus persicae
Dysaphis apiifolia
Aphis gossypii

Symptoms
Small soft bodied insects on underside of leaves and/or stems of plant; usually green or yellow in color, but may be pink, brown, red or black depending on species and host plant; if aphid infestation is heavy it may cause leaves to yellow and/or distorted, necrotic spots on leaves and/or stunted shoots; aphids secrete a sticky, sugary substance called honeydew which encourages the growth of sooty mold on the plants.
Cause
Insects
Comments
Distinguishing features include the presence of cornicles (tubular structures) which project backwards from the body of the aphid; will generally not move very quickly when disturbed; aphids can build up to several thousand per celery plant.
Management
If aphid population is limited to just a few leaves or shoots then the infestation can be pruned out to provide control; check transplants for aphids before planting; use tolerant varieties if available; reflective mulches such as silver colored plastic can deter aphids from feeding on plants; sturdy plants can be sprayed with a strong jet of water to knock aphids from leaves; insecticides are generally only required to treat aphids if the infestation is very high - plants generally tolerate low and medium level infestation; insecticidal soaps or oils such as neem or canola oil are usually the best method of control; always check the labels of the products for specific usage guidelines prior to use.

Armyworm Pseudaletia unipuncta

Symptoms
Singular, or closely grouped circular to irregularly shaped holes in foliage; heavy feeding by young larvae leads to skeletonized leaves; shallow, dry wounds on fruit; egg clusters of 50-150 eggs may be present on the leaves; egg clusters are covered in a whitish scale which gives the cluster a cottony or fuzzy appearance; young larvae are pale green to yellow in color while older larvae are generally darker green with a dark and light line running along the side of their body and a pink or yellow underside
Cause
Insect
Comments
Insect can go through 3–5 generations a year
Management
Organic methods of controlling armyworms include biological control by natural enemies which parasitize the larvae and the application of Bacillus thuringiensis; there are chemicals available for commercial control but many that are available for the home garden do not provide adequate control of the larvae

Category : Nematodes

Root knot nematode Meloidogyne spp.

Symptoms
Galls on roots which can be up to 3.3 cm (1 in) in diameter but are usually smaller; reduction in plant vigor; yellowing plants which wilt in hot weather
Cause
Nematode
Comments
Galls can appear as quickly as a month prior to planting; nematodes prefer sandy soils and damage in areas of field or garden with this type of soil is most likely
Management
Plant resistant varieties where available if nematodes are known to be present in the soil ;check roots of plants mid-season or sooner if symptoms indicate nematodes; solarizing soil can reduce nematode populations in the soil and levels of inoculum of many other pathogens
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