A comparison of radish (Raphanus sativus) growth in possible future climate change conditions and in current conditions

Abstract

Production yields in agricultural zones depend heavily on climate, irrigation, and nutrients. Thus, agriculture is threatened by climate change, specifically predictions of elevated soil temperatures and more erratic rainfall. Solving these potential problems depends on studying the effects of these predicted conditions, as well as how they interact with agricultural practices such as nutrient additives. We studied the impact of increased soil temperature, intermittent floods, and nutrient addition on radish growth. The radish plants were mainly impacted in their belowground growth; high temperature was linked to lower mass of the root systems. The effect of the watering regime was unclear; daily watering as well as floods increased growth in plants grown under different temperature and nutrient combinations. Additionally, higher nutrient levels lowered germination rates of the plants. These findings indicate complex relationships between climate conditions, nutrient treatments, and the plants.