Yield performance of radish, Raphanus sativus L. in Bikaner district of Rajasthan

The study analyzed the economic and stover yields of radish across six locations during the rabi seasons of 2019 and 2020, alongside nutrient uptake and soil-water interactions. Economic yield ranged from 147.2 to 185.9 q/ha (mean: 174.0 q/ha) in 2019 and 153.3 to 186.0 q/ha (mean: 176.0 q/ha) in 2020, while stover yield ranged from 8.8 to 14.5 q/ha (mean: 12.7 q/ha) in 2019 and 9.9 to 14.8 q/ha (mean: 13.3 q/ha) in 2020. Location II consistently exhibited the highest economic yield (186.0 q/ha) and nutrient uptake, whereas Location V recorded the lowest performance in yields and nutrient absorption. Variability in yield and nutrient parameters was moderate to low, with coefficients of variation (CV) below 15%, indicating overall consistency among locations. Soil and irrigation water quality significantly influenced yield outcomes. Soil pH exhibited strong negative correlations with economic yield (-0.731) and nutrient availability, emphasizing the importance of managing pH for optimal crop performance. Organic carbon and essential nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn) displayed positive correlations with yield, highlighting their role in promoting productivity. Seasonal variations in irrigation water quality, including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and residual sodium carbonate (RSC), demonstrated improved water quality post-monsoon due to leaching and dilution effects. These findings underscore the importance of site-specific nutrient management and water quality monitoring for enhancing radish yield and soil health. Addressing pH imbalances, optimizing nutrient availability, and mitigating salinity hazards could significantly improve agricultural productivity in semi-arid regions.