Radish, edible root vegetable belongs to family of "cruciferous" and its origin is in Mediterranean. It is crop of tropical and temperate region. It is a quick growing annual or biannual herb. Its edible roots are having different color from white to red. West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab and Assam are major radish growing states. Radish is good source of vitamin B6, Calcium, copper, magnesium and riboflavin. Also, it is rich in ascorbic acid, folic acid and potassium. 

It can be grown on all type of soils but give best result when grown on light friable, sandy loam soil. Avoid heavy or compact soils as it produce rough, malformed roots. Ideal pH of soil for good growth is 5.5 to 6.8.

Temperate varieties:

White Isle: For plain areas, it is fastest maturing variety.

Rapid Red-white tipped: It is early maturing variety which matures in 25 days. It contains less leaves and the radish is shiny and red in color but its tip is white. Moderately spicy in taste.

Pusa Himani: Long shaped variety which is released by IARI which is suitable for growing both in plain and hilly areas. In plain areas, sowing is done in December to February month and in hilly areas, sowing is done in March to June month.

Tropical varieties:

Japani White: The plant is 20-30cm long and radish is white in color. The plant matures in 45 days. It has moderately spicy in taste.

Pusa Deshi: Plant attains the height of 30-35cm and the variety is ready in 45-50 days.

Pusa Chetki: The variety matures in 40-45 days and the sowing should be done in March-August month.
 
Arka NIshant: Released by IIHRI, Bangalore. The variety matures in 45-55 days. The radish is white in color and it has pleasant aroma.

Pusa Reshmi: The variety is ready in 50-60 days and the plant attains the height of 30-40cm. the variety should be sown in September month.

Punjab White: Released by Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.

Plough land thoroughly for two-three times and make land weed and clods free. After each ploughing, take planking operation. Add well decomposed cow dung of 60-80 qtl/acre at time of land preparation. Avoid use of undecomposed or free cow dung as it will leads to forking of fleshy roots. For sowing, use flat bed or ridges.

Time of sowing:
In plain areas, sowing is done in September to January month and in hilly areas, sowing is done in March to August month.
 
Spacing:
For good yield and growth, sow radish on ridges. Use spacing of 30-40 cm between two ridges and 6-8 cm between two plants.
 
Sowing Depth:
For good growth, sow seeds at depth of 1.5 to 3 cm

Method of Sowing:
Sowing can be done by Line Sowing and Broadcasting method.

Seed Rate
Use seed rate of 3 kg for one acre land.

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

At the of land preparation, apply well rotten FYM @100-160qtl/acre and then by top dressing method, add Urea@50kg per acre.  Apply fertilizer dose SSP@27kg and MOP@41kg/acre in soil at time of sowing.

Overall three to four irrigations are required for Radish crop. After sowing, apply first irrigation, it will help in good germination. Second irrigation is provided, when crop is at 3-4 leaves stage. Depending upon soil type and climate, apply remaining irrigations at interval of 6-7 days in summer and 10-12 days in winter. Avoid excessive irrigation as it will leads misshape of roots and numerous hair growth. Also take care that field should content sufficient moisture throughout growing period. As dry condition, will affect root development. In summer season, provide pre-harvest light irrigation. It will keep root fresh and reduce pungency.

Take intercultural operation like weeding and hoeing to keep check on weed growth also to provide soil aeration. Take one weeding operation, two to three weeks after sowing. At early stage, carry out earthing operation. When root development start, carryout second earthing up operation.  

•  Pest and their control:

•  Disease and their control:

Flea beetles and mustard saw fly: If infestation is observed in field, to control take spray of Malathion 50EC@1 ml/Litre of water. Repeat spray for two-three times at interval of 10 days.

Depending upon variety, radish is ready for harvesting in 25-60 days after sowing. European varieties ready to harvest in 28-30 days whereas Asiatic variety matures in 45 to 60 days. Harvesting is done manually by uprooting plants. Harvested roots are washed and then graded upon size.

After harvesting grading of radish depending upon size is carried out. The product is marketed loose or sometime they are packed in gunny bags or basket. They can be stored for three to four days at room temperature and for two months at 0oc at relative humidity of 90-95%.

For seed purpose, roots are selected and then they are plant at distance of 60 cm x 60 cm or 60 x 45 cm. Apply Nitrogen @38 kg, Phosphorus and Potash @22 kg/acre. i.e. Urea @84 kg, SSP @140 kg and MOP @37 kg/acre. When pod changes its color to yellow, carry out harvesting. After harvesting, carried out cleaning, drying and grading operations.