Zinc Sulphate Foliar Spray: Effects on Radish Seed Quality at Various Growth Stages

Zinc plays numerous minor roles in plant growth, and a consistent and continuous supply is essential for optimal growth and output. Radish is a Cruciferae family root crop that is grown in both tropical and temperate regions of the world. It is native to Europe and Asia. Radish seed output per unit area is low, however, it could be increased with better management practices such as foliar micronutrient supplementation. A laboratory experiment was conducted to analyze the influence of foliar spray and stages of zinc application on seed quality parameters of harvested radish seeds cv. Japanese White in the laboratory of the Department of Seed Science and Technology, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP). There were 4 zinc levels 1g/l, 2g/l,3g/l,4g/l, and at 3 different stages i.e. stage 1: bolting, stage 2: bolting +4 days after the first application, stage 3: bolting +1 day after first application +8 days after first application resulted in 12 treatment combinations as 0g/l zinc at the bolting stage, 0g/l bolting +14 days after first application, 0g/l at bolting +14 days +28 days after first application 1g/l zinc (ZnSO4) at the bolting stage, 1g/l bolting +14 days after the first application, 1g/l at bolting +14days +28 days after the first application, 2g/l at bolting, 2g/l at bolting +14 days after the first application,2g/l at bolting +14days after first application+ 28 days after the first application,3g/l zinc at the bolting stage, 3g/l bolting +14 days after the first application, 3g/l at bolting +14days +28 days after the first application. The results were statistically analyzed by using a completely randomized block design following window-based computer application OPSTAT and post hoc test Dunken Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The experiment was laid out in CRD (completely randomized design) as well as RCBD( Randomized complete block design)design Among treatment combinations Zn2S1(2gl-1atthetime of bolting) was found superior in every aspect of quality attributes i.e. 1000 seed weight (14.36g), germination of harvested seeds (85.75%), seedling length (24.20cm), seedling dry weight (11.31mg), seedling vigour index-I (2,075.08), seedling vigour index- II (966.77), electrical conductivity (0.017 dSm-1), accelerated ageing test (78.25%) and cold test (81.00%). It is concluded that zinc levels, stages of foliar spray, and their combinations had a significant influence on the seed weight.