What Causes Hollow Radishes? A Detailed Guide to Prevention and Control
Radish is a common vegetable, but during the growing process what troubles vegetable growers greatly is hollow radish. Hollow radishes have extremely low nutritional value and can also lead to low yields. Most importantly, they cannot be sold, resulting in a loss. So what causes hollow radishes? How should they be prevented and controlled? Let's take a look at the detailed introduction from Qinnong Web.
1. Variety and sowing time
Hollow radish may be caused by the variety. Some small radishes with dense flesh grow slowly, and when root and leaf growth are balanced, they are not prone to hollowing; while large radishes with loose flesh grow quickly, and root growth far exceeds leaf growth, making them prone to hollowing. In addition, improper sowing time can also cause hollowing. If sowing is too early, the temperature is too high during radish growth, causing growth to stagnate and consuming a large amount of nutrients, making hollowing likely.
Prevention and control methods: From the above content, it can be seen that choosing small radishes with dense flesh can reduce the hollowing rate. Master the correct sowing time so that they grow in an environment with a large day-night temperature difference.
2. Planting density
When radishes are planted in suitable plots, if the spacing between plants and rows is relatively wide, the fleshy root grows too quickly, causing the growth of roots and leaves to lose balance. The nutrients produced by leaf photosynthesis cannot meet the needs of root growth, thus causing hollowing.
Prevention and control methods: Use reasonable close planting, maintain a reasonable distance between plants and rows, not too wide and not too dense, so that root and leaf growth remain in a balanced state.
3. Improper fertilizer and water management
Improper fertilization of radishes can cause hollowing, especially when topdressing in the later stage. If topdressing is too late, excessive, or improperly combined, causing excessive nitrogen fertilizer application, the aboveground parts grow vigorously and the roots become enlarged, causing hollowing. In addition, water is also one of the main factors causing hollowing. During the fleshy root growth period, if water is lacking, the root cannot obtain sufficient water for growth, which will cause hollowing. Also, if watering is inconsistent, keeping the soil moist early and dry later, nutrients cannot be transported and accumulated normally, making hollowing likely.
Prevention and control methods: Strengthen fertilizer and water management, water and fertilize reasonably. When fertilizing, base it on the plant's growth condition. The fertilization principle is to mainly use base fertilizer, supplemented by topdressing, with a reasonable combination of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers. Applying an appropriate amount of boron fertilizer in the later stage can reduce the chance of hollowing caused by fertilizer and water. When watering, pay attention to uniformity, keep the soil moist, water promptly during drought, and drain promptly to prevent waterlogging during rainy periods.
4. Improper harvesting and storage
Harvesting too late during cultivation can also cause hollowing, especially for radishes planted in spring and summer, which are very prone to hollowing due to late harvesting. During storage, if the storage place is too warm and the humidity is low, radish respiration is faster, and it will consume a large amount of water, causing hollowing; while if the temperature is too low, hollowing can also be caused by freezing damage.
Prevention and control methods: Master the correct harvest time, sell promptly after harvest, and avoid hollowing caused by storage problems.
The above are the causes and prevention and control methods of hollow radish brought to you by Qinnong Web. We hope it helps you. To learn more, please stay tuned to Qinnong Web.