Radish

Botanical Name : Raphanus sativus

Family: Cruciferae/ Brassicaseae
Chromosome no: 2n=18
Centre of origin: Mediterranean region
Pollination system: Cross pollinated
Inflorescence: Typical terminal raceme
Type of Fruit: Siliqua
 It is an annual or biennial herb having rosetteleaves and bearing a swollen root which
is thee conomic part
 Radish is a popular vegetable in both tropical as well as temperate regions.
 The edible portion of radish develops from the primary root and hypocotyl
 The flowers are small, usually white, white and pink, white and violet, pink or violet.
 Rat-tail radish (R. sativus var. caudatus), which is similar to common radish, is grown
for its long slender pods which are used as salad or cooked vegetable. It will not
produce fleshy root as in radish.
 It is believed to have originated from Raphanus raphanistrum
 Radish is cross- pollinated due to sporophytic system of self-incompatibility.
 It shows considerable inbreeding depression on selfing.
 It is entomophilous.
 It is pollinated mainly by wild honey bees and wild-flower flies.
 Pink-skinned radish is generally richer in ascorbic acid than the white skinned
 Pungency is due to isothiocyanates

Radish is grown for its tender tuberous roots which are eaten raw as salad or as cooked
vegetable. It has a unique pungent flavour. It has a cooling effect, prevents constipation and
increases appetite and is more nutritious when cooked with leaves. Young leaves are also cooked
as vegetable. It is recommended for patients suffering from piles, liver troubles, jaundice etc.
Juice of fresh leaves is sued as diuretic and laxative. Radish is a good source of vitamin-C and
minerals. It is cultivated throughout India. West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Assam,
Haryana, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh are major radish-producing states.

Climate and soil

It grows well under mild to cool climate. However, Asiatic varieties can resist higher
temperature. The temperature of 10°–15°C is optimum for proper development of roots, texture
and flavour. Maximum root growth occurs initially at 20°–30°C but later at temperature of 10°–
14°C. This is more applicable to European varieties than the Asiatic ones. More foliage growth is
favoured at higher temperature above 25°C. The long acclimatized varieties grown in India
can withstand heat and rain much better than the European types. In hot weather, roots become
more tough and pungent before reaching the edible maturity. The optimum uptake of nutrients
and rise in dry-matter content occurs at 20–25°C. Long photo-period and warm temperature
favour early bolting even prior to proper development of roots. Normally plants bolt when
days are 8–10hr long. The radish is more pungent at higher temperature. Pungency decreases
with cooler temperature and crop can easily withstand frost.

Radish can be grown almost in all kinds of soils but friable loam soil with high humus content is
most suited. It can be grown in fairly acidic soils having a pH of 5.5–6.8. Sandy loam soils are
best-suited for early harvesting. In heavy soils, deformed roots with fibrous laterals are produced.
The roots become fibrous and forked when grown in soils having unrotten humus with hard and
stony subsoil.

Varieties

Radish varieties are broadly classified into 2 types—Asiatic or tropical and European or
temperate. The improved varieties grown in different parts are described below:

Asiatic or tropical

Arka Nishant

Its roots are medium-sized, 25cm long, 3–4cm in diameter, marble-white with crisp texture and
mild pungency, resistant to pithiness, premature bolting, root branching and forking.

IHR 1-1

The roots are 30cm long, thin, free from premature bolting, pithiness, splitting and forking and
flesh is mildly pungent. Average weight of root is 300g. The root surface is smooth and shining
white. It is highly resistant to white rust. It becomes ready for harvesting 45 days after sowing.

Japanese White

Its roots are cylindrical, stumpy, 22–25cm long and 5cm in diameter, skin snow white, flesh
crisp, solid and mildly flavoured. It matures in 45–50 days. It is suitable for sowing from
October to December in plains and July to December in hills.

Jaunpuri Giant or Newari

Cultivated around Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh, it grows up to 75–90cm in length and 50–60cm in
girth weighing 5–15kg or more.

Kalyani White

The roots are 25–30cm long, uniform in size with a blunt end. The skin is pure white, and flesh
mildly pungent. Plants are having light green top. It can be grown throughout the year except
during summer. The edible maturity approaches in 45–50 days.

Nadauni

A popular variety in Himachal Pradesh, its roots are long, tapering, light pink in colour, top dark
green with cut leaves.

Punjab Safed

Its roots are 30–40cm long, 3–5cm thick, white, tapering, smooth, mild pungency and free of
forking. It is quick-growing with roots remaining edible for 10 days after attaining full size.

Pusa Chetki

A selection from exotic material, its roots are medium-large (25–30cm), stumpy, pure white,
tender, smooth and mildly pungent. It matures in 40–45 days. Since it can tolerate high
temperature, it is suitable for sowing from mid-March to August.

Pusa Desi

Its roots are pure white, 30–35cm long, tapering with green stem end, pungent and heavy yielder.
It matures in 50–60 days. It is suitable for sowing during mid-August to October in northern
plains.

Pusa Himani

The roots are 30–35cm long, medium thick, tapering white with green shoulders, flesh pure
white, crisp, sweet flavoured with mild pungency. The top is short, leaves green having less hair
than Japanese White. It takes 60–65 days from sowing to maturity. It has wide adaptability and is
grown almost throughout India.

Pusa Reshmi

Its roots are 30–35cm long, white with green tinge on top portion. It is suitable for early sowing
in cooler months but tolerant to slightly higher temperature. Good-sized roots become ready for
harvesting in 55–60 days.

European or temperate varieties

Chinese Pink

The roots are 30–45cm long, cylindrical with blunt end. The skin is shining red and smooth,
flesh is white, crisp solid and mild pungent. It matures in 45 days. It is most-suited for hills but
grows well in plains with mild climate.

Rapid Red White Tipped

Its roots are smooth, small, round, bright red with white tip, flesh pure white, crisp and snappy.
Extra early, it matures in 25–30 days.

Scarlet Globe

Its roots are round, small, 2cm in diameter, bright red in colour. The flesh is crisp and white. It
takes 25–30 days from sowing to complete root formation. The delayed harvesting results in
pithiness. The foliage height is 10–15cm.

White Icicle

The icicle-shaped roots are straight and tapering with small tops. Skin is pure white, flesh is icy-
white, crisp, juicy and sweet flavoured. It becomes ready for harvesting 30 days after sowing.

New variety released;

Kashi Lohit (VRRAD-131-2)

Attractive red colour roots, iciclical root shape, suitable for salad dressing, excellent source of
anti-oxidants (80-100 % higher than white radish), good source of vitamin C and phytochemicals
i.e. Anthocynin and phenolics content. Tolerant to pithiness. Root Yield 40-45.0 t/ha.

Kashi Mooli-40 (VRRAD-203)

Tolerant to high temperature (35-42 °C), suitable for summer cultivation, delayed bolting less
pithiness, iciclical root shape, attractive white colour, having root yield of 30-35 t/ha in normal
season and 20-23 t/ha during summer season.

Kashi Sweta

Roots are 25-30 cm long, Roots are straight, tapering with pointed tip and Yield 450-470 q/ha.

Kashi Hans

Suitable for September to February, Duration: 40-45 days can stand in the field up to 10-15 days
after commercial maturity, Roots are straight, tapering, 30-35 cm long and yield 430-450 q/ha

Arka Nishant
Roots long, marble white in colour with crisp texture and mild pungency. Resistant to pithiness,
premature bolting, root branching and forking. Yield 35-40 t/ha.

Palam Hriday

HPKV, Palampur, A variety with pink flesh, crisp, juicy and free from pithiness Matures in 45-
50 days Yield - 250-300 q/ha

Pusa Shweta

It is characterized by medium long, extra white, cylindrical roots suitable for sowing from
September to November in North Indian Plains. It takes 50-55 days to marketable maturity. The
average root weight is 200 g with about 40-45 t/ha root yield.

Pusa Mridula

Roots are globular with bright red skin, mildly pungent. Maturity 25 days. Average Yield 130
q/ha.

Pusa Jamuni

First purple fleshed unique trait nutritionally rich radish variety. Distinct advantage in root size,
shape, yield and consumer preference over the existing varieties. Higher anthocyanins and
ascorbic acid.

Pusa Gulabi

First entire pink fleshed unique trait nutritional rich radish variety. Medium root size, cylindrical
shape, optimal yield and consumer preference over the existing varieties. High total carotenoids,
anthocyanins and optimal ascorbic acid.

Cultivation

Preparation of land

The land should be prepared by thoroughly ploughing the field 4–6 times and levelling well by
planking. All the stubles of previous crop should be removed. The surface of soil should be kept
loose for proper growth and development of roots.

Sowing

This is mainly a cool season crop. However, it can be grown almost throughout the year
depending upon the climatic conditions. Sowing is done from September to January in plains and
March to August in hills. In mild climate, it is grown round the year but the best quality roots are
produced from November and December sowings. April–June and October–December are best
sowing time for Maharashtra, while March–August for Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra
Pradesh. For a regular supply of fresh roots, sowing should by done at 10–15 days intervals.
Bold seeds germinate better, producing vigorous and healthy plants

8-10 kg/ha for tropical types and 10-12 kg seed of temperate types is required.

Radish can be sown on ridges or on flat beds. The distance between ridges and within the rows
varies according to the variety. The temperate varieties which become ready for harvesting in
25–30 days are given closer spacing compared with tropical or Asiatic types which take longer
time to mature. Seeds are sown on 23–25cm high ridges spaced 45cm apart. However for
European varieties, ridges are spaced 20–30cm apart. The spacing within the rows is kept 4–8cm
after thinning. Normally seeds are sown 1.5–3cm deep while surface sowing is done for round
cultivars and immediately covered with soil. The young plants look pale when sown deeper than
3cm and the root maturity is also delayed. Seeds germinate within 5–10 days of sowing in
properly moist soils.

Manuring and fertilization

Being a short duration crop, judicious and proper use of fertilizers is essential for good yield and
excellent root quality. Different doses of manures and fertilizers have been recommended for
various regions of the country. Application of 25–40 tonnes of farmyard manure, 50–80kg of N,
50kg of P and 50kg of K/ha should be done. Farmyard manure should be applied at the time of
land preparation. The complete doses of P and K and half of N should be added to the soil before
sowing. The remaining half of N is topdressed in 2 split doses during early plant growth and root
formation. Foliar application of urea (2%) enhances vegetative growth at initial stage. In the acid
soils it should be properly used in combination with organic manures.

The B deficiency can be controlled by soil application of 15–20kg/ha of borax before sowing.
Molybdenum deficient plants develop narrow and leathery leaves and growth is checked.
Application of 1.2kg/ha of sodium or ammonium molybdate controls this disorder.

Interculture

Generally 2–3 weedings are required. First weeding should be done prior to thinning. After
thinning, hoeing is done to facilitate proper soil aeration for fast development of roots. One
earthing-up is necessary at early stage of plant growth. However, second hoeing and earthing-up
are done when the roots pick up growth. In radish there is a tendency to bulge out of soil with
increase in size, earthing-up helps in proper development of roots. After every irrigation light
hoeing is done to break soil crust wherever it is formed. Pre-emergence application of TOK E 25
(Nitrofen) @ 2kg/ha effectively controls weeds.
Irrigation

Radish requires sufficient water right from germination to harvesting. After sowing, apply first
irrigation, it will help in good germination. Depending upon soil type and climate, apply
remaining irrigations at interval of 6-7days in summer and 10-12 days interval in winter month.
Overall radish required five to six irrigations. Avoid excessive irrigation as it will leads misshape
of roots and numerous hair growth. Care should be taken that the field should not become dry
and compact which can check root development. In summer season, provide pre-harvest light
irrigation. It will keep root fresh and reduce pungency. Drip irrigation is used for efficient water
use. Subsurface drip irrigation gives better results than the surface, especially in the sandy loam
soils.

Growth regulators

Germination is stimulated when seeds are sown after soaking in NAA (10 and 20ppm) solution.
The concentration of 20ppm increases edible root yield. Seed treated with GA3 (5ppm) gives
high germination, enhancing its yield.

Postharvest management

It should be harvested when its roots are still tender. They are pulled out vertically with least
breakage. The edible maturity period varies from 25 to 60 days depending upon the cultivar.
Early-maturing European varieties mature in 25–30 days while Asiatic types take 45–60 days.
Manual harvesting is common in India. The delayed harvesting results in pithiness and tastes
bitter hence become unfit for market. The average yield of Indian cultivars is 150—200 q/ha,
whereas the European cultivars produce 50–70 q/ha.

The harvested roots along with tops are properly washed, graded and tied in bundles. About 3–6
roots are tied in a bunch depending upon the size of roots. These bundles are loose packed in
baskets and transported to the market. Harvested roots can be stored for 3–4 days at room
temperature without impairing its quality. However, it can be stored up to 2 months in cold
storage at 0°C with 90–95% relative humidity. These are stored especially to fetch better return.

Physiological disorders

Brown heart

It is a commonly occurring disorder in radish and turnip due to B deficiency. At first, dark spots
usually appear on the thickest part of the root. The plant growth is checked and it remains
stunted. The leaves are smaller than the normal and lesser in number and later on show
variegated appearance with yellow and purplish red blotches. The leaf stalks show longitudinal
splitting. The root remains small, showing distorted and greyish appearance. This is controlled
by soil application of 15–25kg/ha of borax. A foliar application of 0.1% B increases the yield
besides controlling this physiological disorder.

Pithiness:
a. Commercial value is affected as the parenchymatous cells collapse resulting in development of
pores.
b. Delay in harvesting also causes pithiness in the roots.
Forking: Secondary growth occurs in roots due to:
a. Excess of moisture
b. heavy soil
c. hard or stony strata of the soil
Pest and Disease
Aphid: (Myzus persicae and Brevicoryne brassicae)
Serious pest of Radish, attacked at seedling as well as at maturity stage. If infestation is
observed, spraying of Malathion 50EC@1ml/Litre of water should be done. Repeat spray for
two-three times at interval of 10days.
Flea beetles and mustard saw fly:
If infestation is observed in field, to control take spray of Malathion 50EC@1ml/Litre of water.
Repeat spray for two-three times at interval of 10days.

Cabbage Borer (Hellula undalis Fabr.)

The larva in its first two instars mines the leaf along the sides of the vein and tenders it a
papery white structure with excreta filled in it. Thereafter, it nibbles the leaf and later feeds
within the head of the cabbage. In severe attack, the plants become weak and produce deformed
heads.
Spraying the crop with Malathion (0.1%) or dusting 4% Carbaryl gives excellent control of the
larvae.
Damping-Off
Use seed treated with a recommended seed treatment fungicide. Do not plant seed too deeply and
avoid excessive irrigation

Rhizoctonia Root Rot

Rhizoctonia on radish can cause severe losses. This fungus attacks the feeder roots and storage
root. Loss of yield can occur as a result of interference with nutritional uptake or more likely as a
result of deformed and blemished storage roots. Stems and cotyledons can also be damaged. This
disease may also take the form of “scurf” on the storage root. This appears as black netting and
can be washed off in water.
Rhizoctonia prefers cool, wet soils in the spring and fall. Cultural practices that increase soil
temperature and decrease excessive soil moisture may provide some relief if the soil inoculum
level is not too high. Rotating out of crucifers for two to three years should reduce the incidence
of this disease.

Fusarium Wilt (Yellows)

Fusarium yellows or wilt of radish is a soil-borne disease that can seriously affect radishes,
especially during warm periods. If the disease attacks the plants when they are small, the leaves
will turn yellow and then rapidly turn brown. When the disease attacks more mature radish roots,
the plants will appear severely weakened, and the root may become spongy. When cut open, the
vascular tissue will be yellowish-brown and sometimes the centre is hollow. Some varieties of
radish have resistance to the disease, which is the only control strategy currently available.
Downy Mildew
Downy mildew causes damage to radishes especially during cool, damp weather. Symptoms
appear as yellow spots on the upper surfaces and greyish-white growth on the undersides of
leaves. The disease can also attack the root, causing dark discoloured areas extending down the
root from the crown. Infected roots may split or be invaded by secondary rot organisms.
Scab
This soil-borne bacterial pathogen causes scalelike spots that may enlarge to 0.4 – 0.8 inch (1-2
cm). Edges of spots are usually raised, and lesions may become infected with secondary rots.
Rotations with grains is partially effective. Avoid planting radish the year after a potato crop.
Use of green manure crops such as hay, prior to radishes will benefit microorganisms harmful to
the bacteria. The disease is more severe in lighter, dry soils, maintain adequate moisture levels.

Alternaria blight: (Alternaria rapham)

Slightly raised, yellow spots are observed on leaves. Infection is rapidly spread in rainy season.
Fungus spread on pods and seeds loose viability.
If infestation is observed, spraying of Mancozeb@2gm/lit of water or Carbendazim@1gm/lit of
water should be done to control this disease.
White rust (Albugo candida):
It produces white powdery substance in patches on undersurface of leaves. Disease symptoms
appear on leaves and flowering shoots, which become deformed and produce malformed flowers.
Use of resistant cultivars like Arka Nishant and regular sprayings with mancozeb (0.2-0.3%) are
recommended.
Mosaic
The disease is transmitted by aphids. Mosaic mottling of young leaves often associated
with inter-veinal chlorotic areas which gradually increases in size. Finally coalesce to form
irregular chlorotic patches

The disease spread can be minimized by uprooting and burning of infected plants as soon
as detected in the field and using safer insecticides to control the insect vector which spread the
disease. Soil application of Thimet 10-G (1.5 kg a.i./ha) is also recommended.