Division of Agronomy, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.
Application of 120 kg N per hectare over 60 kg dose significantly increased nitrogen percentage of radish and tops, phosphorus percentage of tops, potassium percentage of radish and tops and the uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus per plant. Higher dose of phosphorus application (60 kg P2O5 per hectare) over lower dose (30 kg P2O5 per hectare) significantly increased phosphorus percentage of radish and tops, potassium percentage of radish and the uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus. Application of 60 kg K2O per hectare significantly increased potassium percentage of radish and tops and decreased significantly the uptake of nitrogen when compared with the application of 30 kg K5O per hectare, Nitrogen and phosphorus percentages of radish and tops, potassium percentage of tops and the uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus were significantly increased due to the application of fertilisers half in soil and the other half as foliar spray when compared with the same dose applied in soil. Application of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and their methods of application did not significantly affect pithiness of radish at first harvest. However, application of 120 kg N per hectare over 60 kg dose significantly lessened pithiness at second harvest. There was an increase in pithiness of radish at second harvest as compared with first harvest. Pungency of radish increased with advancement of time. Neither the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium nor their methods of application had any significant effect on pungency. Vitamin ‘C’ content of radish increased significantly due to the application of fertilisers over the control. Application of 60 kg P2O5 and K2O per hectare significantly increased Vitamin ‘C’ content when compared with the application of 30 kg P2O3 and K2O respectively. Levels of nitrogen and methods of fertiliser application showed no significant effect on the Vitamin C content of radish.
