Growth and postharvest performance of white radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

The growth and postharvest performance of 4 cultivars of white radish, or ' daikon' (Raphanus sativus L. Longipinnatus group), 'Fukumi', 'Tomas', 'Oshi n' and 'Long White' were compared over 2 growing seasons in New South Wales , Australia. The first 3 cultivars are considered promising for a proposed export industry and the fourth, 'Long White', is a standard cultivar alread y used commercially. Preferred market weight (1000 g) was reached in 60 day s in the spring-summer trial and 82-85 days in the autumn-winter trial. Pos tharvest life was limited mainly by the physiological disorder 'pithiness'. Pithiness is characterised by the formation of air spaces in the root, whi ch will eventually leave it spongy, dry and hollow. It developed both in th e field and in storage, especially in 'Long White'. There was slightly less pithiness in all cultivars in the cooler season autumn trial, but the deve lopment of pithiness was highly related to cultivar. Pithiness was not rela ted to senescence, since it developed in the field in 'Long White' from an early stage of growth. 'Tomas' was the best cultivar overall, and market qu ality was maintained for a simulated export period of 4 weeks, provided it was harvested at the preferred market weight of 1000 g. All leaf material s hould be trimmed from the radishes before storage.