Effect of fertilizer doses in different planting time on growth and yield of rat tail radish (Raphanus sativus var. Caudatus)

Abstract

Judicious application of appropriate nutrients always promotes metabolic activities in plants, leading to convenient growth and yield. In this context, our present investigation regarding study on bio-efficacy of various doses of fertilizers on the yield contributing traits of rat tail radish in different planting schedule was carried out. Under the current study, we have selected twelve treatments comprising of various combinations of 4 levels of RDF, vzz.,N0-0%, N1-75%, N2-100% and N3-125% RDF and three planting time, viz., Dr15.10.2021, D2-30.10.2021 and D3-15.11.2021. All the treatments for the chosen species were evaluated with three replications under factorial randomized block design. According to the experimental results, various levels of RDF (recommended dose of fertilizer), planting times and their combinations significantly affected the growth, yield and quality ofrat tail radish. Among all treatments with various fertilizer doses,125% RDF on 15.10.2021 has been found to impact most significantly on plant height (86.92 cm and 112.60 cm at 45 and 60 DAS respectively), number of branches (8.67 and 10.77 at 45 and 60 DAS respectively),days to first flowering (46.12 days), days to harvest (68.96 days), leaf area index (2.90), length of the pod (28.29 cm), diameter of pod (5.80 mm), pod weight(5.42 g),pod yield per plant (0.35 kg), pod yield per plot (8.86 kg), and pod yield per hectare (128.27 q).