- Address : P.O. Box 11, Gannoruwa rd, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- E- Mail : director.hordi@doa.gov.lk
- Telephone :(+94) 081-2388011-12-13
- Fax :(+94) 081-2388234
Radish
Raphanus sativus L.
Radish belongs to the family Brassicaceae which can be grown in all agro-climatic zones of Sri Lanka. Well drained soil with pH between 6-7.5 is best for cultivation
Released Varieties
Climatic requirements/ Areas suitable for cultivation
Radish can be grown in all agro-ecological regions in the country
Soil
Well-drained soils are suitable, poorly drained soils can cause growth problems. A pH range of 6.0 – 7.5 is appropriate for cultivation
Seed requirement
5 kg/ha
Nursery Management
A direct seeded crop
Land preparation
Soils should be ploughed to a depth of 30-40 cm to provide the necessary depth and fine tilth.
Planting
Can be grown throughout the year if adequate moisture is available.
Spacing
a) Spacing: 25-30 cm between rows; 10 cm between plants
b) Sow seeds in rows on raised beds.
Fertilizer
| Time of application | Urea kg/ha | TSP kg/ha | MOP kg/ha |
| Basal | 125 | 200 | 75 |
| Top dressing – apply 3 weeks after planting | 125 | – | 75 |
Water supply
Irrigate daily for the first 4-5 days and then every 3-4 days, depending on rainfall
Weed Control
One hand weeding is enough after 2 weeks of planting
Pest Management
Young larvae are light green in color and then turn into dark green when mature
Damage symptoms
In severe damage, leaves are skeletonized
Control
In severe cases, apply DOA recommended insecticides
Adult is a small fly and larvae cause the damage. Irregular or serpentine pale grey lines appear on both sides of the leaf blades as the larvae feed. These burrows are usually limited by the leaf veins and contain black fecal material visible as slim trace inside the tunnels
The caterpillar causes the damage. A well-developed caterpillar is about 4-6 cm long and black or brown in color.
Symptoms
- Larvae hide in the soil during the day and cause damage at night
- Eats young plants at the soil level
- Eats leaves of mature plants
Management
- Plough soil, pick up and discard caterpillars hiding in the soil.
- Caterpillars in the soil are destroyed by birds when the soil ploughed.
- Apply a suitable insecticide to the plant and soil on the day of planting.
- Apply more organic manure to the soil
- Keep fields weed free
Disease Management
Symptoms
When grown in low pH (acidic) soils it can cause serious damage to the crop. The roots of the plant become thick and club shaped.
Disease control
- The causal organism remains in the soil for a long time and cannot be destroyed by chemicals.
- Check the soil before planting and, if necessary, increase the pH by applying lime.
- Uproot and burn the infected plants. Don’t use infected plants for compost preparation
- Disease can be minimized by transplanting crops which are not in the same genus for about four years
Harvesting
Harvest when plants are at correct maturity stage (depend on the variety).
Delayed harvesting reduces the quality of the harvest.
Yield
a) Japanese ball: 40-50 t/ha
b) Beeralu Radish: 20-30 t/ha
Post-harvesting
a) Grade roots and handle them carefully to avoid mechanical damage
b) Pack roots in well-ventilated containers for long distance transport