Radish Farming: Complete Guide, Varieties, Cultivation & Benefits

Radish is a root vegetable crop belonging to the cruciferae family. It is one of the fastest-growing and year-round crops, which makes it very profitable for farmers. Radish roots are found in different colors like white, red, and pink.

In India, major radish-producing states are West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Karnataka, and Assam.

Nutritionally, radish is rich in:

• Vitamin B6, Calcium, Copper, Magnesium, Riboflavin
• Ascorbic acid, Folic acid, and Potassium

This makes it a highly demanded crop in both domestic markets and health-conscious households, ensuring good profit for farmers.

Suitable Soil and Climate for Radish Farming

• Soil Type: Loamy and sandy loam soils with good drainage are ideal. Heavy soils result in twisted roots.
• Soil pH: 5.5 – 6.8 is most suitable.
• Climate: Radish thrives in tropical and temperate climates.
• Avoid: Very hot or extreme cold weather, as it reduces yield and root quality.

Popular Radish Varieties in India

1. Japanese White

• Sowing Time: November–December (plains), July–September (hills)
• Roots: Cylindrical, white
• Yield: ~160 quintals/acre

2. Pusa Chetki

• Sowing Time: April–August
• Features: Early maturing variety
• Yield: ~105 quintals/acre

3. Pusa Himani

• Sowing Time: January–February (evening)
• Maturity: Ready in 60–65 days
• Yield: ~160 quintals/acre

4. Punjab Pasand

• Sowing Time: Mid-March onwards, also suitable April–August
• Maturity: Ready in 45 days
• Yield: 215 quintals (main season), 140 quintals (off-season)

5. Punjab Safed Mooli-2

• Maturity: 60 days
• Yield: 236 quintals/acre

Other Regional Varieties

• Pusa Deshi: Ready in 50–55 days
• Pusa Reshmi: Suitable for early sowing, ready in 50–60 days
• Arka Nishant: Pink long roots, ready in 50–55 days
• Rapid Red White Tipped: European variety, matures in 25–30 days with red roots and white flesh

Land Preparation

• Deep plowing of the field with a tractor or plough.
• Remove weeds and clods.
• Apply 5–10 tons of well-decomposed farmyard manure per acre during land preparation.
• Avoid using raw manure as it causes forked and poor-quality roots.

Sowing Methods of Radish

Sowing Time by Variety

• Pusa Himani: January–February
• Punjab Pasand: March–August
• Japanese White: November–December

Seed Requirement

• 4–5 kg of seed per acre is sufficient.

Sowing Depth

• Sow seeds at 1.5 cm depth for better germination.

Spacing

• Row-to-row: 45 cm
• Plant-to-plant: 7.5 cm

Methods

• Sowing can be done by line sowing or broadcasting method.
• For better root development, sowing should be done on ridges.

Fertilizer and Nutrient Management

Fertilizers per Acre

• Urea: 55 kg
• Single Super Phosphate (SSP): 75 kg
• Muriate of Potash (MOP): As required

Nutrient Requirement

• Nitrogen (N): 25 kg
• Phosphorus (P2O5): 12 kg
• Potash (K2O): As required

Apply all fertilizers along with FYM at the time of sowing for better yield.

Weed Management

• First hoeing should be done 2–3 weeks after sowing.
• Hand weeding and earthing-up on ridges help in root development.

Irrigation Schedule for Radish

• First irrigation: Immediately after sowing.
• Summer season: Every 6–7 days
• Winter season: Every 10–12 days
• Avoid excessive irrigation → it causes misshaped and hairy roots.
• Light irrigation before harvest keeps radish fresh and odor-free.

Pest and Disease Management

Major Pests

• Aphids (Chepa): Attack during seedling and maturity stage.
  • Control: Spray Malathion 50 EC @ 1 ml/litre water, repeat 2–3 times at 10-day intervals.

Major Diseases

• Wilting (Yellow spots on leaves, fungal growth): Common in rainy season.
  • Control: Spray Mancozeb (2 g/litre) + Carbendazim (1 g/litre).

Harvesting and Post-Harvest Management

• Depending on the variety, radish is ready in 25–60 days.
• Harvesting is done manually by uprooting.
• Wash roots properly and grade them according to size.
• Pack radish in gunny bags or bamboo baskets for transportation to markets.

Economic Benefits of Radish Farming

• Quick maturity → fast returns (within 1–2 months).
• Nutrient-rich crop → high consumer demand in local markets.
• Off-season farming can fetch double prices.
• High yield potential: 100–236 quintals/acre depending on variety.

Frequently Asked Questions on Radish Farming

1. Which soil is best for radish farming?

Loamy and sandy loam soils are most suitable.

2. What is the best soil pH for radish?

A pH of 5.5–6.8 is ideal.

3. How many days does radish take to mature?

Depending on the variety, radish matures in 25–60 days.

4. How often should irrigation be given?

In summer every 6–7 days, in winter every 10–12 days.

5. What are the best radish varieties in India?

Japanese White, Pusa Chetki, Pusa Himani, Punjab Pasand, Punjab Safed Mooli-2.

6. How much seed is required per acre?

Around 4–5 kg of seed is sufficient for one acre.

7. What is the average yield of radish per acre?

Between 100–236 quintals/acre depending on the variety.

8. Which fertilizers are recommended for radish farming?

FYM + Urea, SSP, and MOP as per soil requirements.

9. What are the major radish diseases?

Wilting and fungal attacks on leaves and pods.

10. Which season is best for radish farming?

Winter season (November–February) is the most suitable.

Conclusion

Radish farming is a low-cost, high-profit, and quick-yielding crop for Indian farmers. With proper land preparation, right variety selection, timely irrigation, and disease control, farmers can achieve excellent yields in just 25–60 days.

👉 Farmers should select varieties based on local climate and market demand to ensure maximum returns. By adopting modern farming practices, radish farming can significantly boost farmers’ income and improve family nutrition.

👉 For official government information and schemes, visit: https://agriwelfare.gov.in/
👉 To read more articles related to farming, visit: SubsistenceFarming.in