To produce a high quality radish, plants must make continuous growth. Excessive plant densities will produce irregular-sized, misshapen roots. A density of 40–55 plants per metre of row is desirable and early thinning may be required to achieve this. Seed is sown 10–20 mm deep in rows about 20 cm apart. To avoid using excessive fertiliser, apply fertiliser according to a soil analysis. Radishes will tolerate slightly acid soil, but the pH should not be allowed to fall below 5.5. This is important for radishes, as they have such a short growing period. This ensures that the young seedlings have a ready supply of major elements immediately after germination. Prior to sowing, broadcast 100 g/m2 of 5:5:5 N:P:K fertiliser. Apply a good quality fowl manure at the rate of 15 t/ha (1.5 kg/m2) two to three weeks before planting. Liberal applications of animal manure are normally used for growing radishes. The application of animal manure or compost approximately 6 weeks before sowing helps build up the water-holding capacity of the soil and balance the nutrient supply. Land preparationĪ fine, well-prepared seed bed is important for growing radishes. The Japanese prefer the green-necked fat root (7–10 cm diameter) grown to 30–35 cm in length. Chinese and Indo-Chinese require a white-necked thin root (5 cm diameter) growing to 25 cm in length. There are several types grown depending on the requirements of the ethnic group. Long White and Hybrid Long White are the more popular with commercial growers. Some varieties are Red Baron (red), French Breakfast (red with white tip 5 cm long), Inca (red, 5 cm long) and White Icicle (white, 10 cm long). They are either plain red or plain white or red and white. This type is nearly cylindrical with a blunt, rounded tip. The Mars types of radish are the major varieties grown in New South Wales. The main varieties in this group are Mars and Mars Improved. These varieties are not a true globe shape but are slightly oval. Varieties include Red Prince, Scarlet Knight and Fireball. These varieties are generally quite spherical in shape and are mostly red in colour. The main types grown are globe, oval, oblong and long. The main differences between them are in size, shape and colour of the root. There are several types of radish that can be grown. This allows for even root development and ease of washing after harvest. Radishes do best on the lighter, sandy, well-drained soils. For this reason producing quality radishes during midsummer can be difficult. The high temperatures of summer cause the plant to develop small tops, and roots rapidly become pithy and strongly pungent after reaching maturity. It grows best in the spring and autumn and will tolerate light winter frosts. The radish is essentially a cool-season crop. Radishes are generally marketed fresh in the central wholesale markets. In New South Wales, commercial radish production is mainly confined to the Sydney and outer metropolitan district. Writings of ancient naturalists show that it was popular in Egypt at the time of the pharaohs. The radish has been cultivated for a long time. This is appropriate considering the plant’s wide adaptability and its short period from sowing to maturity. It is said to derive from a phrase meaning ‘easily reared’. The botanical name Raphanus is a Latin form of the Greek for radish. Radish ( Raphanus sativus) belongs to the Cruciferae ( Brassicaceae) or mustard family.

Radish seedlings falling over