HortScience (Dec 2023)

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

  • Abdullah Alsadon,
  • Yaser Hassan Dewir,
  • Abdullah Ibrahim,
  • Mekhled Alenazi,
  • Mohamed Osman,
  • Wadei A. Al-Selwey,
  • Mahmoud A.A. Ali,
  • Mohamed Shady,
  • Ali Alsughayyir,
  • Mansor Hakiman

DOI
https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI17371-23
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 59, no. 1

Abstract

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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.

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