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Research Paper | Botany | India | Volume 12 Issue 6, June 2023 | Rating: 5.8 / 10
Impact of Lime on Flowering and Fruiting of Raphanus Sativus CV Pusa Chetki
Abstract: This study investigated the impact of lime - dressing on flowering and fruiting in Raphanus sativus variety Pusa chetki, a radish cultivar, using pot culture experiments. Pots were filled with air - dried garden soil, and lime was added at concentrations of 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%, and 1% on a weight basis. Daily watering was done, and each treatment was replicated three times. After 15 days, seedling survival rate was recorded, and four healthy plants were kept in each pot. After 45 days, root - shoot length and biomass were measured, and one plant per replicate was observed for flowering and fruiting. The experiment lasted 100 days. Results revealed that only control plants exhibited flowering and fruiting, with approximately 15 - 16 flowers and 7 - 8 fruits per plant. Treated plants, even at the lowest concentration of 0.1% calcium, did not produce flowers or fruits, despite vegetative growth. Previous studies have shown that lime application reduces soil nutrient availability and can negatively affect yield in different plant species. This study confirmed that various lime concentrations had a detrimental effect on flowering and fruiting in Raphanus sativus variety Pusa chetki. Radish plants prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil conditions (pH 6.5 - 7.0), while lime increases soil alkalinity. In conclusion, although radish plants can tolerate lime concentrations of 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%, and 1%, the absence of flowering and fruiting indicates that lime application inhibits these processes in Raphanus sativus variety Pusa chetki. These findings emphasise the importance of considering soil pH and lime application when cultivating radish crops.
Keywords: Pot culture experiments, Lime, Flowering and fruiting, Raphanus sativus, Cultivar Pusa chetki
Edition: Volume 12 Issue 6, June 2023,
Pages: 541 - 543