Evaluating strategies to improve glucosinolate concentration and root yield of field-grown horseradish in a Mediterranean environment: preliminary results

Abstract

Horseradish is grown for its enlarged taproot that is widely used as a dish condiment and as a source of horseradish peroxidase. Nowadays, the species is gaining great interest due to the richness in bioactive compounds that besides providing a high nutritional value are tested for innovative applications in different fields. Nevertheless, the effect of crop management on root yield and glucosinolates (GLS) biosynthesis is poorly documented. Aim of this study was to evaluate the root yield and GLS concentration of two field-grown horseradish accessions (Cor and Mon) grown with nitrogen (N) alone and both N and sulphur (S) (-N-S, +N-S and +N+S treatments) and harvested at different times [late autumn (LA), 2011 and 2012, early spring (ES), 2012]. Yield increased throughout the harvests up to 48% on average of the fertilised treatments and 25% in the unfertilised control. Conversely, root GLS concentration significantly declined in the unfertilised control throughout the harvests [from 7.6 in LA_2011 to 1.43 mmol/g dry matter (DM) in LA_2012] while it highly increased in plants grown with N alone and with both N and S by 46 and 98%, respectively, from LA_2011 to ES_2012 (up to 11.9 and 21.1 mmol/g DM, respectively); then it drastically decreased by 80% on average, in the next harvest. Among individual GLS, the concentration of sinigrin and nasturtin similarly varied as effect of the analysed factors, showing the highest values in Cor accession. The data show that although the level of GLS is highly dependent on genotype, fertilisation and harvesting date may play a primary role in determining the yield and GLS concentration in horseradish root.

A Review of Propagation Techniques and Isothiocyanates Content in Wasabi (Wasabia japonica Matsum.)

“…The highest yields of rhizomes were obtained at stands fertilized with ammonium sulphate (increase up to 74 %). Rivelli et al (2016) comply with the previous results; yet, they outline the importance of genetic predisposition for the AITC content in Wasabi. Manure positively influenced the content of AITC in Wasabi leaves; however, as leaves are a less used plant part, nitrogen fertilization with sulfur amendment is recommended (Sultana et al, 2002) To preserve the ITC values during storage, Sultana et al (2003b) recommend storage at temperatures -10 °C, -40 °C, -80 °C.…”

Leveraging Horseradish's Bioactive Substances for Sustainable Agricultural Development

“…At the process of harvesting many annual roots with a diameter of 0.5-1 cm are obtained in addition to commercial product, which can be used as planting material for the following year [48]. Serbian researchers prove that the use of whole root cuttings as planting material provides for the highest yields and the highest proportion of first-class roots in the total yield as well as a stable number of planting cuttings [49][50][51][52][53][54]. If the purpose of cultivation is the intensive reproduction of planting material to increase the production of cuttings for planting, the most effective is the use of crown cuttings.…”

Exploring the physiological and agronomic response of Armoracia rusticana grown in rainfed Mediterranean conditions

“…Over the threeyear study, Perlaki and Djurovka (2009) reported increases of root yields and main root weight depending on the amount and kind of fertiliser used. Large variations in root yield were also found depending on accessions; particularly, Agneta et al (2014b) comparing six horseradish accessions cultivated in temperate Mediterranean area found total root yield varying from 120 up to 1070 g plant -1 ; Rivelli et al (2016b) testing two of the six above-mentioned horseradish accessions (ST here referred as COR and MON) grown in a warm to temperate environment and supplemental irrigation reported that root FW was double in COR in comparison to MON (925 vs 476 g/plant, respectively) with diameters larger than 40%; while Rivelli et al (2016a) reported increases of both yield and glucosinulates concentration in response to fertilisation and harvesting. Considering the average values between accessions, close relationships were found relating the number of leaves both with root fresh weight (r 2 =0.88; P≤0.01) and diameter at the top (r 2 =0.82; P≤0.01) (Figure 4).…”

“…Filipović et al (2015) showed a positive gross margin for organic horseradish, produced in Serbian metropolitan areas, by using the calculation of standard gross margin. Besides root yield increases, Rivelli et al (2016aRivelli et al ( , 2016b found a great increase of glucosinulates content, particularly sinigrin, in both roots and leaves, by adding nitrogen and sulphur fertilisers and by harvesting the roots of one year old during late winter for horseradish grown in a warm to temperate Mediterranean environment. According to Björkman et al (2011), the production and phytochemicals content and profile of brassicaceous crops can be significantly affected by several factors, including plant species and cultivar, agronomic conditions (developmental stage, plant organ, plant density, fertilisation, pH), season, water availability and climatic factors (mainly light and temperature).…”