Influence of organic manures and zinc on yield, quality and profitability of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) under semi-arid conditions

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the effect of organic manures and zinc on radish's growth, yield, quality and economics. The maximum average weight of the root (193.72 g), root: shoot ratio (2.72), root yield (258.86 q/ha), ascorbic acid (13.72 mg/100g), zinc content in leaves (25.05 ppm),) net return (Rs 170280/ha) and B: C ratio (2.92) were recorded and significantly influenced in treatment M2 but these parameters were at par with M3 except net return. In the case of zinc levels, the maximum average weight of root (194.81 g), root: shoot ratio (2.62), root yield (253.30 q/ha), ascorbic acid (13.40 mg/100g), net return (Rs 167810/ha) and B: C ratio (2.96) were recorded in treatment ZnSO4 @ 25 kg/ha but these parameters were at par with Z3. However, zinc content in leaves and roots (27.31 & 47.15 ppm) were recorded more in treatment Z3 @ 30 kg/ha but these parameters did not differ significantly from treatment Z2. The combining effect of different organic manures and zinc levels was significant on the B: C ratio. Moreover, the interactive effect between vermicompost @ 3 t/ha along with ZnSO4 @ 25 kg/ha was significantly higher (3.27) over the rest of the treatments except M3Z3, M2Z3 and M3Z2, which were found statistically at par to it.