What Causes Hollow Heart in Radishes? Detailed Explanation of Causes and Prevention Methods

For families that grow their own vegetables, radishes and cabbage are basically crops that every household will plant, but during cultivation the problem of hollow heart can appear, which is very distressing. So what causes hollow heart in radishes? How can it be avoided? Let's take a look at the detailed explanation below.

1. Causes

Hollow heart in radishes is mainly caused by inconsistent water supply, and there are two main causes: one is improper management, and the other is improper storage. It generally occurs when the fleshy root is expanding. At this time, the causes of hollow heart include high temperature and drought, bolting, and so on. The growth of the fleshy root requires a large amount of water, but a lack of water will cause its cells to shrivel, making them separate from one another; once the intercellular spaces become large, hollow heart forms.

2. Prevention Methods

1. Choose good varieties

Generally speaking, early-maturing varieties are highly prone to hollow heart, while late-maturing varieties are less prone to it. In addition, large varieties are prone to hollow heart, while small varieties are less prone to it. Therefore, when planting, choose varieties that are not prone to hollow heart, which can reduce hollow heart and increase yield.

2. Suitable soil

To grow radishes well, you must first choose loose, fertile soil with good drainage. Many cases of hollow heart in radishes occur because they were planted in sandy soil.

3. Reasonable fertilization

Radishes are a fertilizer-loving crop. When planting, in addition to paying attention to the application of base fertilizer, base fertilizer should be the main input and topdressing the supplement. Generally, apply 3000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer and 30 kg of compound fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer. During planting, two topdressings are needed: one at the true leaf stage, applying 10 kg of urea per mu to promote the aboveground part, and the second at the fleshy root expansion stage, applying 10 kg of compound fertilizer and 10 kg of potassium sulfate per mu, which can significantly increase yield.

4. Uniform irrigation

The quality of irrigation directly affects whether radishes develop hollow heart. Radishes have a very large water requirement in the later stage and need sufficient water, but watering should not be excessive either. The principle is simply not to water when the soil is not dry, and to water immediately when the soil turns white.

The above is an introduction to the causes of hollow heart in radishes and prevention methods. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please keep following us.