Compost Amendment Enhances Leaf Gas Exchange, Growth, and Yield in Water-challenged ‘Crimson Giant’ Red Radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

• Published in: HortScience Vol. 59; no. 1; pp. 84 - 91
• Main Authors: Alsadon, Abdullah, Dewir, Yaser Hassan, Ibrahim, Abdullah, Alenazi, Mekhled, Osman, Mohamed, Al-Selwey, Wadei A., Ali, Mahmoud A.A., Shady, Mohamed, Alsughayyir, Ali, Hakiman, Mansor
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) 01.01.2024
• Subjects: abiotic stress; compost amendment; drought stress; raphanus sativus; water saving
• ISSN: 0018-5345; 2327-9834
• DOI: 10.21273/HORTSCI17371-23

Red radish is a nutritious root vegetable crop that has a short production cycle. Water deficit limits plant productivity, affecting its quantity and quality. Compost amendment offers a potential solution to mitigate water deficit effects. This study assessed the impact of compost manure rates (0%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) and irrigation treatments (40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% of evapotranspiration) on ‘Crimson Giant’ red radish production. Significant differences in growth and quality were observed among these treatments. Compost rates of 75% and 100% improved leaf gas exchange, plant growth (leaf count, fresh weight, dry weight, and area; stem length), root development, total yield (root fresh weight, dry weight, diameter, and length), and root quality (vitamin C and total soluble solid and titratable acidity). The 100% compost and 100% irrigation combination achieved the highest yields. Under water deficit, applying 75% or 100% compost with 80% irrigation conserved 20% of water while maintaining radish output. Overall, compost amendment effectively enhanced red radish growth and production under water deficit.