Effect of Varied Fertiliser Levels and Varied Planting Dates on Yield, Quality and Economics of Rat Tail Radish (Raphanus sativus var. caudatus)

Rat-tail radishes are the edible seed pods, or siliques, of ancient radish plants. Increased use of fertilisers is probably the most important single factor that has enabled crop production to increase significantly in recent years. The study investigated the impact of fertiliser doses in different planting times on yield, quality and economics of rat tail radish (Raphanus sativus var. caudatus). An experiment was conducted during the winter season of the year 2021-22 at the Hi-tech Unit, Department of Horticulture, under the Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur, India. The location of the experiment being situated at 24°35’N and 74°42’E latitude (585.5 meters above mean sea level), was very much convenient for the cultivation of rat tail radish at a temperature of 15-24 °C during the rabi season. Twelve treatments comprising various combinations of 4 levels of RDF, viz., N0-0%, N1-75%, N2-100% and N3-125% RDF and three planting times, viz., D1-15.10.2021, D2-30.10.2021 and D3-15.11.2021, were selected. All the treatments for the chosen species were evaluated with three replications under the factorial randomised block design (RBD). According to the experimental results, various levels of RDF (recommended dose of fertiliser), planting times and their combinations significantly affected the yield, quality and economics of rat tail radish. Among the treatments, T₄-D₁N₃ (125% recommended dose of fertilizer with 15th October sowing) recorded significantly superior performance in terms of pod length (29.69 cm), pod diameter (5.80 mm), pod weight (5.42 g), pod yield per plant (0.35 kg), pod yield per hectare (128.27 q), and quality parameters such as total soluble solids (7.18 °Brix), total dry matter (10.17%), protein content (3.20%), and chlorophyll content (total 10.21 mg/g). This treatment also yielded the highest economic returns, with a gross return of ₹1,67,602.64/ha, the net return of ₹1,13,348.90/ha, and a benefit-cost ratio of 2.09. While the lowest values for all parameters were observed under T₉-D₃N₀ (0% RDF with 15th November sowing), indicating poor crop performance under late sowing and no fertiliser application. These findings highlight the importance of optimal nutrient management and timely sowing for maximising productivity and profitability.