DEVELOPMENT OF LATE BOLTING, TOLERANT TO LOW TEMPERATURE, LATE PITHY SUITABLE AND HIGH YIELDING VARIETY OF RADISH FOR PLAIN AREAS OF PUNJAB

Abstract

Radishes (Raphanus sativus), with their impressive nutrient profile, are a valuable addition to any diet. The "Mino Local" variety is the most popular among farmers and is cultivated as a medium season crop throughout the plains of Punjab, especially along river, canal, and minor banks. However, the "Mino Local" variety has not produced quality roots, and there is no specific local variety available for the medium to late season in Punjab. Consequently, most radish seeds are imported from foreign countries, incurring significant foreign exchange costs.  To reduce the import bill on radish seeds, the Vegetable Research Institute in Faisalabad initiated a breeding program to develop the radish variety "Sufaid Pari- 1" using plant breeding techniques. The new variety, Sufaid Pari-1 (also known as Mino Selection), has consistently outperformed the standard Mino Local variety in all years of testing during the mid-September to November period. Currently, its cultivation is recommended in the plain areas of Punjab during this prescribed period.