Cultivation of Radish (Raphanus sativus)

Radish is an important root vegetable cultivated for its edible roots, which are consumed raw in salads or cooked. It is a fast-growing crop with a short duration, making it suitable for multiple cropping systems.

Origin, Area, and Distribution

• Origin: Central and South Asia.
• Global Distribution: Widely cultivated in Japan, China, India, USA, France, and Netherlands.
• India Distribution: Major growing states include Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Karnataka.

Climate Requirements

• Climate: Radish is a cool-season crop, though some tropical varieties are grown in warmer climates.
• Optimum Temperature:
  • For germination: 10°C–15°C.
  • For root development: 15°C–25°C.
• Season:
  • Temperate regions: Grown during spring and autumn.
  • Tropical regions: Grown year-round with suitable varieties.

Soil Requirements

• Soil Type: Well-drained, loose sandy loam or loam soils are ideal for uniform root development.
• pH Range: 6.0–7.0.
• Preparation: Deep plowing followed by fine tilth preparation ensures straight roots.

Improved Varieties

• Desi Varieties:
  • Pusa Chetki: Suitable for summer sowing.
  • Pusa Desi: Grown during winter in north India.
  • Japanese White: Large, long roots suitable for salads.
  • Kalyanpur No. 1: High-yielding winter variety.
• Hybrid Varieties:
  • Jaunpuri Giant: Large roots, suitable for export.
  • Arka Nishant: High-yielding hybrid.

Seed Rate: Seed Rate: 8–10 kg/ha, depending on variety and spacing.

Time of Sowing

• Winter Varieties: October to November.
• Summer Varieties: March to June.
• Rainy Season: July to September (short-duration varieties).

Sowing Method

• Spacing:
  • Row-to-row distance: 30–45 cm.
  • Plant-to-plant distance: 8–10 cm.
• Depth: Sow seeds 1.5–2 cm deep.
• Thinning: Perform thinning after 15–20 days to maintain proper spacing.

Fertilizer Requirements

• Nutrient Management:
  • Nitrogen (N): 50–60 kg/ha.
  • Phosphorus (P): 25–30 kg/ha.
  • Potassium (K): 25–30 kg/ha.
• Application Schedule:
  • Apply phosphorus and potassium as a basal dose.
  • Split nitrogen into two doses, one as a basal dose and the other 25–30 days after sowing.

Irrigation

• Frequency: Radish requires frequent, light irrigations to maintain soil moisture.
  • Irrigate at intervals of 5–7 days, depending on the season.
• Avoid water stagnation as it can lead to root rot.

Weed Management

• Perform manual weeding or hoeing after 2–3 weeks of sowing.
• Mulching can be used to suppress weed growth and conserve moisture.

Intercultural Operations

• Perform light hoeing for aeration and better root growth.
• Ensure proper thinning to prevent overcrowding.

Pest and Disease Management

Pests:

• Aphids: Suck sap from leaves and cause curling. Control: Spray Imidacloprid (0.5 ml/liter of water).
• Cutworms: Damage seedlings and roots. Control: Use Chlorpyrifos as soil treatment.

Diseases:

• Clubroot: Affects root development, causing swelling. Control: Maintain soil pH around 7.0 and use disease-free seeds.
• Downy Mildew: Yellow patches on leaves. Control: Spray Mancozeb or Chlorothalonil.

Harvesting

• Maturity Period: Early varieties mature in 25–30 days. Late varieties take 50–70 days.
• Signs of Maturity: Roots attain full size with a firm texture. Leaves start yellowing slightly.
• Method: Uproot plants manually or use hand tools.

Post-Harvest Handling

1. Washing: Clean roots to remove soil and debris.
2. Grading: Grade based on size, shape, and uniformity.
3. Storage: Store at 0°C–2°C with 90–95% relative humidity to maintain freshness.

Yield

• Average Yield:
  • Early varieties: 8–10 tons/ha.
  • Late varieties: 15–20 tons/ha.

Physiological Disorders

1. Forking of Roots:
   • Cause: Hard or stony soil.
   • Management: Ensure proper soil preparation and avoid excessive nitrogen.
2. Pithiness:
   • Cause: Over-mature roots or uneven moisture.
   • Management: Harvest at the right stage and ensure consistent watering.
3. Splitting of Roots:
   • Cause: Sudden excessive moisture after drought.
   • Management: Avoid irregular irrigation practices.

Cultivation of Beetroot (Beta vulgaris)

Beetroot is a popular root vegetable grown for its edible roots, which are consumed fresh, cooked, or processed. Its vibrant color and nutritional value make it a favorite among health-conscious consumers. It also has applications in food coloring and traditional medicine.

Origin, Area, and Distribution

• Origin: Mediterranean region.
• Global Distribution: Widely grown in USA, Russia, UK, France, Germany, and India.
• India Distribution: Cultivated in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.

Climate Requirements

• Climate: Beetroot is a cool-season crop.
• Optimum Temperature:
  • For germination: 18°C–25°C.
  • For growth: 15°C–20°C.
• Season:
  • Temperate regions: Grown in summer.
  • Tropical and subtropical regions: Grown in winter.

Soil Requirements

• Soil Type: Well-drained, sandy loam or loam soil with good organic matter is ideal.
• pH Range: 6.0–7.5.
• Soil Preparation: Deep plowing followed by fine tilth preparation. Add well-decomposed organic manure before sowing.

Improved Varieties

• Indian Varieties:
  • Crimson Globe: High-yielding variety with uniform round roots.
  • Detroit Dark Red: Early maturing variety with smooth, deep red roots.
  • Punjab Noor: Grown widely in northern India.
• Exotic Varieties:
  • Red Ace: Known for its high sugar content.
  • Crosby Egyptian: Early maturing, flat globe-shaped roots.
  • Chioggia: Distinctive red and white concentric rings.

Seed Rate

• Seed Rate: 8–10 kg/ha.
• Seed Treatment: Treat seeds with Thiram or Captan (2 g/kg of seed) to prevent fungal infections.

Time of Sowing

• Tropical and Subtropical Regions: October to February.
• Temperate Regions: March to May.

Sowing Method

• Spacing:
  • Row-to-row distance: 30–45 cm.
  • Plant-to-plant distance: 10–15 cm.
• Depth: Sow seeds 2–3 cm deep.
• Thinning: Thin seedlings at 4–6 weeks to avoid overcrowding.

Fertilizer Requirements

• Nutrient Management:
  • Nitrogen (N): 50–60 kg/ha.
  • Phosphorus (P2O5): 40–50 kg/ha.
  • Potassium (K2O): 40–50 kg/ha.
• Application Schedule:
  • Apply phosphorus and potassium as a basal dose.
  • Split nitrogen into two doses: basal and at 4 weeks after sowing.

Irrigation

• Frequency: Requires regular and light irrigation. Irrigate at intervals of 7–10 days, depending on soil type and weather.
• Critical Stages: Ensure moisture during root enlargement.

Weed Management

• Perform manual weeding or use pre-emergence herbicides like Pendimethalin (1.0 kg/ha).
• Mulching helps suppress weeds and conserve soil moisture.

Intercultural Operations Light hoeing is necessary to aerate the soil and ensure proper root development.

Pest and Disease Management

Pests:

• Leaf Miners: Create tunnels in leaves, reducing photosynthesis. Control: Spray Dimethoate (2 ml/liter of water).
• Cutworms: Feed on seedlings and roots. Control: Apply Chlorpyrifos to the soil.

Diseases:

• Cercospora Leaf Spot: Causes circular spots on leaves. Control: Use fungicides like Mancozeb or Carbendazim.
• Downy Mildew: Yellow patches on leaves. Control: Spray Metalaxyl or Chlorothalonil.

Harvesting

• Maturity Period: 90–120 days, depending on variety.
• Signs of Maturity:
  • Roots reach the desired size (5–10 cm in diameter).
  • Leaves start yellowing slightly.
• Method: Uproot manually or use hand tools.

Post-Harvest Handling

1. Washing: Clean roots to remove soil and debris.
2. Grading: Grade based on size, shape, and uniformity.
3. Storage: Store at 0°C–4°C with 90–95% relative humidity for long shelf life.

Yield: Average Yield: 15–20 tons/ha, depending on variety and management practices.

Physiological Disorders

• Forking of Roots: Cause: Hard or compacted soil. Management: Ensure proper soil preparation.
• Black Heart: Cause: Boron deficiency. Management: Apply Boric acid (10 kg/ha) as a soil amendment.
• Splitting of Roots: Cause: Uneven water supply. Management: Maintain consistent irrigation.