This paper investigates the impact of lime dressing on the seed germination of Raphanus sativus variety Pusa chetki, a specific cultivar of radish. Pot culture experiments were conducted under natural environmental conditions to simulate real-world growth scenarios. The study used pots filled with air-dried garden soil and sowed 20 seeds of the radish variety in each pot. Lime (calcium oxide) was applied at concentrations of 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%, and 1% on a weight basis, with three replicates for each concentration. Control pots without lime treatment were also included. Results revealed that all lime concentrations slightly inhibited seed germination, except for 0.1%, which matched the control (95%). At 0.3% and 0.5% lime concentrations, germination rates were 90%, and at 1%, it was 85%. Statistical analysis indicated no significant differences between the control and lime-treated groups. Overall, this radish variety showed tolerance to various lime concentrations, with 0.1% lime not impacting germination adversely. The inhibition of germination at higher lime levels (1%) may be attributed to the increase in soil alkalinity, as radish plants prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH = 6.5 – 7.0). The findings also suggest that excessive calcium might have inhibitory effects on plant growth, likely due to its impact on certain plant enzymes. However, further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms involved in the response of radish plants to lime dressing.

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Keywords: Lime Dressing, Cultivar Pusa Chetki, Raphanus Sativus, Pot Culture Experiments, Seed Germination, Radish Plant.