Radish Varieties and Their  Characteristics

Tropical types

Pusa Desi: It is a subtropical cultivar, suitable for sowing from middle of August to October in the northern plains Roots are pure white, 30-35 cm long, tapering with green stem end, It matures in 50-55 days after sowing. Suitable for sowing in northern India from mid-August to mid- October.

Pusa Chetki: This variety has wider adaptability and can tolerate high temperature. Suitable for growing mid- March to mid- August in northern and central parts of India. In southern and western parts of India It can be grown throughout the year. Roots are medium long, stumpy, pure white, mildly pungent and mature in 40-45 days. It is grown as a summer and monsoon crop from April September.

Pusa Reshmi: The roots are 30-45cm long, white with green tinge on top. Suitable for early sowing from mid- September to mid-November but it can tolerate slightly higher temperature. Roots are ready for harvesting in about 55- 60 days.

Japanese White: The roots are cylindrical 25-30 cm long and 5 cm in diameter, skin pure white, flesh crisp, solid and mildly flavoured. Suitable for growing between October- December in the plains and July September in the hills. Crop matures in 60-65 days.

Punjab Safed: Roots are white tapering, smooth, mild in taste, free of forking, 30-40 cm in length and 3-5 cm thick. Crop matures in 50-60 days. Suitable for sowing in September-October. It is a quick growing type with roots remaining edible for 10 days after attaining full size.

Kalianpur No. 1: Roots 20-23 cm long, white with green shoulder.

Nadauni: Roots are long, light pink, popular in Himachal Pradesh.

Arka Nishant: Roots are long, marble white, resistant to pithiness and pre- mature bolting. Chinese Pink Roots 12- 15 cm long, semi-stumpy to stumpy, pink with white colour towards the tip. The skin is shining red and smooth and the flesh is white, crisp, solid and mildly pungent. Crop matures in 50-55 days.

Temperate types :

Pusa Himani: Sowing is done in northern plains from December February. Roots are 30-35 cm in length and 10- 12 cm in diameter. Rots are pure white with green stem end. They are semi-stump to tapering with short tops. The skin is pure white, the flesh is crisp and sweet- flavoured with mild pungency. Crop matures in 55 days. It is the only variety, which can be grown throughout the year in the hills except for winter months from November-January.

White Icicle: It is a medium short European table variety, which matures in 25-30 days. The roots are 12-15 cm long, 2-3 cm in diameter. Sowing time from mid-October to February. The skin is pure white, while the flesh is icy white, juicy and sweet- flavoured. Suitable for kitchen garden.

Rapid Red White Tipped: It is an extra early European Table type, which matures in 25-30 days. The roots are smooth, small, round, bright red with white tip, flesh pure white crisp and snappy. Sowing time from mid- October to February