Seeds production

• The seeds of temperate types are produced only in the hills and tropical type in plains .
• It is a crossed pollinated crop and honey bees are main pollinators.
• Isolation distance is about 1000 to 1600 m.

There are two method of seed production in radish viz;

Root to seed method

• Quality seeds are produced by this method.
• This method cannot be employed in European type because they do not stand transplantation well.
• In this method radish is harvested when roots are fully matured during mid Nov to mid Dec.
• True to the type roots are selected on the basis root color, shape, size etc. and transplanted after cutting about 3/4thof the lower portion.
• The top leaves are then trimmed 1/3rd without injuring the crown. Then they are transplanted in a fertile soil at wider spacing 90cm X 15-20 cm.
• Irrigation should be given immediate after transplant. Subsequent irrigation is given at any interval of 7-10 days till seeds are formed in the pods.
• Spraying of GA3 at 100ppm after transplanting increase the percentage of flowering in pusa himni, Japanese white etc., Since there is no natural dehiscence (shattering of seed), the pod are allowed to mature and ripe fully in the field before they are harvested.
• The seeds are ready in April. When most of the pods (70%) are brown, the seed stalks are cut and kept in small piles to dry in open. Seeds are extracted by thrashing.
• The seed is then cleaned, dried in the sun and graded properly.

Advantages:

• Thorough examination of roots for off type roots.
• Production of seed of highest quality.

Disadvantages:

• Low seed yield.
• Consumption of more labor and time for uprooting, replanting, preparation of stecklings etc.
• Root rot causing micro organisms may enters the roots through cut surface.

Stecklings:- Matured root of carrot , radish , turnips etc. to be replanted for seed production in root to seed method.

Seed to seed method

• In this method radish plant with root is left in the field and allowed to produce seed stalks.
• This method is not recommended for production of quality seeds because the selection of good roots cannot be made and off type plants which are not time to variety cannot be rouged.

Seed Yield:

• Average yield=600-800kg/ha.