What to do when radishes are pithy? Timely boron fertilizer supplementation is key
The main cause of split roots in radishes is uneven water supply. It tends to occur in the mid-to-late growth stage, mostly splitting lengthwise along the fleshy root, with deep cracks of varying lengths. Cracked fleshy roots are prone to soft rot and do not store well. In the early growth stage, if high temperature and drought occur and soil moisture supply is insufficient, the skin of the fleshy root can...
It is often said that "hollow-hearted Chinese cabbage, solid-hearted radish," but radishes nowadays often develop a pithy center, which seriously affects their market price. Experts have determined that using more boron fertilizer can solve this problem, as it is caused by a lack of boron in the soil.Pithiness in radishes affects their edible value and quality. Many vegetable growers cannot identify the cause of pithiness in radishes. In fact, pithiness in radishes is caused by boron deficiency in the soil. The following methods can be used to apply boron fertilizer to prevent pithiness in radishes:
As a base fertilizer: When sowing, use 300 grams of 17% boric acid or 500 grams of 11% borax per mu, mix into 5-10 kg of dry fine soil, mix thoroughly and then sift, then apply as a base fertilizer into the sowing furrow or sowing hole. Radish seeds can also be mixed into dry fine soil blended with boron fertilizer, thoroughly mixed, and scattered into the sowing furrow and sowing hole.
Seed dressing: Add water to 3-5 kg of fine soil and mix in boron fertilizer at a rate of 300 grams of boric acid or 500 grams of borax per mu, stir together into a thin paste, then pour in radish seeds and some dry fine soil, rub with hands so that the mud containing boron fertilizer adheres to the seed surface to form a seed coating. Once the seeds can be separated from one another, they are ready for sowing.
Foliar spraying: Boron fertilizer can promote solid centers and large size in radishes. Starting from when radish seedlings grow 2-3 true leaves until about half a month before harvest, spray boron fertilizer once every 20 days, using 150 grams of borax or 100 grams of boric acid per mu each time. First dissolve in a small amount of warm water, then dilute with 60-75 kg of water and spray evenly. The best time to spray is in the evening.