Abstract
Eight exotic cultivars of radish (Repharrus &Wiles L.) Were evalua-ted for time taken to attain edible size, root length and breadth of root per plant and per hectare. These were grown in the experimen. tat farm at National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad during the year 1984 S. Significant differences were observed among the cultivars with regard to the number of days for root to attain edible size, root length and breadth and yield per hectare, The cultivars Iiskegel,, Middle East Giants and Flew sere found to be the best in alt respects, exhibiting root yield of 7.16, 6.33 and 6.15 t/ h$, respectively,.
INTRODUCTION
Radish (Rapharruo swims 1,1) occupies an eminent position in vegetable crops of Pakistan. AltI3.ough most of the caltivars under cultivation in the country are long-rooted and medium to late in maturity but early maturing radishes are very favourite because of their red skin colour and flavour. These are ready for use in three to six weeks from time of seed sowing. Thompson and Kelly 0957) reported that the spring group were quick maturing and could be planted at any time of the year. The winter varieties required about twice as long to mature as the spring varieties. There are very few early maturing varieties of radish so far introduced in the country wierea; tne introduction of gerrnplasm from foreign sources has played an important role in the development of different crops all over the world, Approximately 5/13th of the cultivated vegetable crops in the United Matti of America are foreign introductions. (Hawthorn and Pollard, 1954). To obtain a good crop yield in an area, knowledge of growth and other characters exhibited in the environmental conditions are of greater importance. In order to provide good quality radishes to the consumers new cultivars have to be introduced and evaluated for their performance,
