CROP HUSBANDRY-RADISH CULTIVATION PRACTICES IN KERALA

RADISH (Raphanus sativus)
Radish can be grown in high ranges from June to January. Well drained sandy loam soils are best suited for the crop.

Varieties

Japanese White, Arka Nishanth, Pusa Chethki, Pusa Reshmi, Pusa Desi and Bombay Red Long

Planting requirement

Seed rate is 7 to 8 kg per hectare. It is usually grown on ridges to facilitate good root production. Ridges of about 20 cm height are taken 45 cm apart and plants are grown 10 cm apart on the rows. The seed is mixed with fine sand and sown in rows by hand, covered with soil to make it firm around it.

Manures and fertilizers

Apply 20 t/ha FYM as basal. N: P2O5: K2O 75:37.5:37.5 kg/ha is the fertilizer requirement. Full dose of P2O5 and K2O and half dose of N are applied as basal. Remaining half dose of nitrogen is applied as topdressing when the plant starts growing vigorously.

Aftercultivation

It is necessary that enough soil moisture is available to help uniform seed germination and growth of plant. Thinning may be done at 10 cm distance as in carrot. Weeding should be done at regular intervals to keep down weeds. Shallow hoeing is necessary to facilitate root growth. When the roots start growing, earthing up should be done.