Breeding Approaches for Controlled Conditions of Artificial Light Culture for Small Radish and Radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

Abstract

This paper presents the results of breeding and genetic studies of Raphanus sativus L. under the controlled conditions of the biopoligon of the Agrophysical Research Institute (St. Petersburg, Russia). The aim of this study was to create new R. sativus forms for controlled environments with artificial lightning (CEAL). An original technique for accelerated transgressive plant breeding was used. It is based on the methodology for predicting transgressions by economically valuable plant traits when evaluating breeding traits under controlled conditions. Using it in a short period of time (4–5 years) greatly increases productive accessions of small radish and radish adapted to light culture, and a set of valuable characteristics (resistance to bolting, glabrous leaves, compact leaf rosette) were obtained. The yield of roots of new forms was 4.30–4.98 kg/m2 (small radish) and 5.46–7.66 kg/m2 (radish) for the growing period. Transgression by root mass was observed in plants of three new forms and amounted to 40.7–63.0% in small radish and 40.3% in radish. The breeding of new genotypes of R. sativus is aimed at expanding the range of crops cultivated in plant factories, and ultimately, at a better and more balanced nutrition for the population.