Evaluation of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) varieties under net house for off season

Eight varieties of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) were evaluated at the horticultural research farm of Agriculture and Forestry University, Chitwan, Nepal (186 masl) during the spring (February to April 2018) under the net house to identify the suitable variety for off-season radish production. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Radish varieties, Vedetar Local, Miyasinge, Tokinasi, Pusa Chetki, Mino Early Long White F1, Ivory White F1, MAHY 22 F1 and All Season were seeded in the third week of February. The highest number of leaves per plant (20.54) in MAHY 22 F1, highest plant height (43.69 cm) in Tokinasi, highest leaf area (1357.24 cm 2 ) and the highest fresh leaf weight per plant (165.40g) was recorded in Miyasinge. With respect to yield parameters, the highest root length (19.51 cm) was recorded in Ivory White F1 followed by Mino Early Long White F1 (18.86 cm). Significantly highest root diameter (2.90 cm) was recorded in All-Season and fresh root weight (92.60 g) was recorded in Ivory White F1. Maximum biomass yield (73.22 t ha -1 ) was recorded in Miyasinge whereas the significantly highest root yield (30.87 t ha -1 ) was recorded in Ivory White F1. Minimum biomass yield (29.77 t ha -1) and root yield (11.93 t ha -1 ) were recorded in Pusa Chetki. Among the tested varieties, Pusa Chetki was the earliest (55 DAS) to attain the edible root size. The variety Ivory White F1 showed significantly superior growth, yield, and quality attributes.