Environmental and nutritional studies of radish (Raphanus sativus L.).

Abstract

The present thesis is written in four sections and each section is the findings of different experiments for the growth and yield of radishes. The cultivar trial was done to find out the suitable cultivar for growing in the growing room. It was found that although not significantly, Cherry Belle produced the highest yield and it matured significantly earlier than, other cultivars i.e. Sparkler and Saxa under the same conditions. A field study was made to find out the effect of moisture stress and spacings on the yield of six different cultivars of radishes and it was found that all the cultivars of radishes responded only when the soil was maintained at field capacity. The lack of moisture significantly decreased the yield and delayed the maturity of all the cultivars of radishes. When seeds were sown at wide spacing, the yield was found to be significantly higher than close spacings, but the number of marketable hypocotyles were higher in close spacings. The relative humidity affected the yield of radishes and it was found that yield was significantly higher in high humidity when grown in sand mixture (Irish Sphagnum Mosspeat) than the Levingtoa Potting of both cultivars. The substrates interacted significantly with relative humidity. The growth and yield was enhanced in high light intensity with continuous illumination, when grown in high nitrogen and potassium levels. Another experiment was done with substrates in different light intensities and its illumination periods. The results were compared with the results of high level of nitrogen and potassium and it was found that the growth and yield of radish were significantly higher in high nitrogen and potassium levels than the other substrates. High light intensity with continuous illumination were found to be optimum. In this combination of high intensity and its duration, seeds were sown in GCRI at different densities to get maximum number of marketable hypocotyles and it was found that 4 sq. cm produced maximum hypocotyles. The economics of growing radishes in suitable environmental conditions are discussed.

Date of Award	1975
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bath