Effect of foliar application of urea as top dressing on yield of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) in sandy regosol

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of foliar application of urea on cultivation of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) in sandy regosol. This experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with five treatments and four replications. The treatments included recommended soil application of urea as top dressing without (TJ and with the additional foliar application (T2) and also the recommended rate of urea (T,) reduced to 3/4, 1/2 and 1/4 with the foliar application (T3, T4 and Ts respectively). Urea (0.1%) was applied as foliar spray in all the treatments except control (T}). The results showed that there were no significant differences in leaf parameters such as leaf area index, number of leaves and leaf length and also in the tuber parameters such as length and diameter of tuberous root among the treatments. Significant difference was observed in fresh and dry weights of leaves between T 1 and T3. There were remarkable differences in fresh and dry weights of tuberous root between T 1 and T5. In the pres'ent study, the half recommended rate of.urea applied to soil in combination with 0.1% foliar urea spray was the more suitable practice of urea application as top dressing among the treatments. It is an economical and fertilizer saving practice compared to control.