Effect of different level of nitrogen on growth yield and quality of Raddish (Raphanus Sativus L) under Gwalior Region of Madhya Pradesh

Introduction

Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is an important root and leafy vegetable belonging to the family Cruciferae. It is cultivated as both an annual and biennial crop and is widely grown in tropical and temperate regions of the world. Radish is consumed not only for its edible roots but also for its tender leaves and shoots, which are used as salad greens and cooked vegetables (Alam et al., 2010) [2] . Traditionally valued for its medicinal properties, the juice of radish leaves is used as a diuretic and laxative, and its roots are known to help alleviate liver, gall bladder, urinary, and digestive disorders (Sankari et al., 2006) [50] . As a low-cost and nutritious vegetable, radish is a valuable food source for economically weaker populations. It is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and essential vitamins such as A and C (Bakhsh et al., 2006) [6] . In India, radish is cultivated over approximately 0.17 million hectares, yielding a total production of 2.4 million tonnes (Anon., 2015). Among the essential macronutrients, nitrogen plays a crucial role in plant growth and metabolic functions. It is a key component of proteins, nucleic acids, chlorophyll, and enzymes. Deficiency of nitrogen leads to poor plant vigor, reduced yield, and diminished produce quality (Hussain et al., 1997) [12] . To enhance crop productivity and nutrient use efficiency, nitrogen fertilization is widely practiced across the globe (Eugenius et al., 2011) [47] . Its proper management is critical for achieving optimal yield and quality in radish cultivation. Furthermore, the form and dosage of nitrogen applied influence the nitrate content in radish roots. Use of ammonium-based fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate or amide forms like urea has been shown to reduce nitrate accumulation compared to nitrate-based sources. According to Kowalska et al. (2006) [24] , the application of nitrogen must be optimized not only to maximize yield but also to ensure superior quality of the produce. Therefore, understanding the appropriate nitrogen levels and combinations with growth regulators is essential for successful radish production.

Materials and Methods

The present field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of the College of Agriculture, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. The region receives an average annual rainfall of approximately 751.5 mm, and the climatic conditions are suitable for radish cultivation during the Rabi season. The experimental layout followed a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The study comprised three nitrogen application levels: 80 kg/ha, 100 kg/ha, and 120 kg/ha. Each treatment was randomly assigned within each block to reduce experimental error. All recommended agronomic practices, including land preparation, sowing, irrigation, weeding, and pest management, were uniformly applied across all plots. Nitrogen treatments were applied at specified levels as per the treatment schedule, and other nutrients were provided as per the standard package of practices to ensure uniformity.

Results and Discussion

Growth Parameters Application of nitrogen significantly influenced the growth parameters of radish. The tallest plants were observed with 120 kg N/ha, recording plant heights of 3.36 cm, 16.70 cm, 42.93 cm, 51.49 cm, and 62.54 cm at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 days after sowing (DAS), respectively. Similarly, the highest number of leaves per plant (4.27, 7.06, 10.09, 10.98, and 14.00 at corresponding growth stages) was also recorded at the same nitrogen level. This treatment was significantly superior to the other nitrogen levels tested. The maximum leaf length 3.07 cm, 11.66 cm, 29.49 cm, 35.67 cm, and 49.80 cm at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 DAS, respectively was again recorded under 120 kg N/ha. These results confirm the positive impact of nitrogen on vegetative growth in radish and are in agreement with the findings of Singh et al. (1990) [55] , Yi et al. (1992) [59] , Abdel (1996) [1] , Pawar et al. (1997) [39] , Singh and Rajodia (2001) [57] , Dhariwal (2005) [10] , Mukherjee and Roy (2006) [33] , Jatav (2007) [15] , and Karuppaiah et al. (2007) [17] .

Yield and Yield Attributes

Increasing nitrogen levels significantly improved yield and yield components. The fresh weight of leaves per plant was highest (243.56 g) with 120 kg N/ha. Root length was also maximum (exact value not provided, but higher than 27.32 cm) under 120 kg N/ha, whereas the minimum (27.32 cm) was recorded under 80 kg N/ha. The highest root dry weight (312.66 g) was observed with 120 kg N/ha, compared to the lowest (208.32 g) in the 80 kg N/ha treatment. Likewise, root diameter was greatest (6.18 cm) at the highest nitrogen level, whereas the lowest diameter (5.42 cm) was recorded under 80 kg N/ha. In terms of overall yield, application of 120 kg N/ha resulted in the highest performance 480 g per plant, 32.17 kg per plot, and 579.03 q/ha. The yield attributes fresh weight of leaves, root length, root weight, root diameter, and yield per hectare were all significantly influenced by nitrogen levels. The maximum yield (73.92 t/ha) was recorded with 120 kg N/ha. This increase in yield is attributed to enhanced vegetative growth, better foliage development, and increased photosynthetic activity, ultimately leading to higher carbohydrate accumulation in roots. These findings are in agreement with previous studies by Mishra (1989) [32] , Singh et al. (1990) [55] , Deore and Bharud (1991) [35] , Nirmal et al. (1994) [35] , Pawar et al. (1997) [39] , Shakada and Gajipara (1998) [48] , Singh and Rajodia (2001) [57] , Dhariwal (2005) [10] , Karuppaiah et al. (2007) [17] , Ganpathi et al. (2008) [11] , and Pervez et al. (2004) [41] . Pervez et al. (2004) [41] specifically reported maximum root length at 200 kg N/ha, and Sounda et al. (1998) noted increased root diameter and higher marketable yield with increased nitrogen application. The improved performance under higher nitrogen could be due to enhanced plant vigor, better nutrient availability, and adoption of recommended agronomic practices.

Conclusion

Based on the present investigation, it can be concluded that the application of 120 kg N/ha resulted in the highest yield, gross and net income, and benefit-cost (B:C) ratio. This nitrogen level also significantly enhanced growth and yield parameters of radish compared to the other treatments. Therefore, 120 kg N/ha can be recommended as the optimum nitrogen dose for maximizing productivity and profitability in radish cultivation under the given agro-climatic conditions.

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