Pusa Desi
An IARI Asiatic variety with long white roots tapering to a point, a green shoulder and a sharp pungency, with heavy leafy tops used as a green — sown August–October in the plains.
Quick facts
- Crop
- Radish (Mooli)
- Type
- Open-pollinated
- Season
- Rabi
- Maturity period
- 50–55 days
- Expected yield
- 25–30 t/ha
- Suitable soil
- Loam
- Release
- Released by ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi
About this variety
Pusa Desi is an Asiatic radish from ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, with long white roots that taper to a point, carry a green shoulder, and have the sharp pungency of the traditional Indian mooli. It also produces heavy leafy tops that are eaten as mooli-ka-saag and fed to animals. It is sown from August to October in the plains and is open-pollinated, so growers can save their own seed.
Key characteristics
Sowing & cultivation
- Sowing timeAugust to October in the plains
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
50–55 days
Expected yield
25–30 t/ha
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
- No special resistance claimed
Advantages & considerations
Why farmers may choose it
- The sharp pungency and long white root of the traditional market mooli
- Heavy leafy tops for mooli-ka-saag and fodder
- Open-pollinated — seed can be saved
Things to consider
- A pungent type — not for the mild-radish or salad market
- No special disease resistance — watch Alternaria and white rust
Suitable regions
States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.
- Uttar Pradesh
- Bihar
- Punjab
- Haryana