Application of bokashi improves the agronomic quality and bioactive compounds of radish cv. Quiron

The aim of the study was to compare horticultural variables of radish cv. Quiron using bokashi, boiled chicken manure (BCM), and a mineral fertilizer. Experiments were conducted in a plastic greenhouse with the following treatments: fertigation with BCM concentrations in water (2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10%), bokashi, mineral fertilizer in substrate, and control (water). The agronomic variables evaluated were: storage root biomass, storage root volume, leaf biomass, and chlorophyll index. Bioactive compounds, total polyphenol content, antioxidant capacity, and nitrate contents in storage root were also quantified. All agronomic variables were influenced by the treatments. For storage root biomass, the highest averages were obtained with bokashi and mineral fertilization, surpassing the other treatments. Root volume significantly increased with all treatments except for BCM 7.5%, with bokashi application resulting in the highest mean, followed by mineral fertilization. Leaf biomass was significantly enhanced by BCM 5.0%, BCM 7.5%, bokashi, and mineral fertilizer, with the latter showing the highest mean. The chlorophyll index increased with bokashi and mineral treatments. Total polyphenol contents significantly increased with all treatments, with bokashi, mineral, and BCM 5.0% and 7.5% showing the highest averages. Both DPPH and nitrate levels significantly increased with all treatments, with bokashi having the highest mean, followed by mineral fertilizer. FRAP levels were significantly elevated by all treatments, with bokashi and mineral fertilizer resulting in the highest means.