Effects of Chitosan Application on the Growth of Radish Seedlings

Abstract

The effects of chitosan application to soil before planting, on the growth of the tops and roots of the seedlings of radish, Raphanus sativus L., radicula group, were investigated. Leaf area and top dry weight of the crop were increased by application of 0.1% chitosan, and were twice as much as those in the untreated-control by application of 0.5% or 1%. Chitosan application promoted the growth of foliage leaves more than that of cotyledons. The lengh of tap roots and the number of first order lateral roots were not affected, but the numbers of first order lateral roots and second order lateral roots which branched from the first ones were increased markedly by chitosan application. The length and density of root hairs were variable, and those of lateral roots were increased by chitosan application.