THE INFLUENCE OF GROWING MEDIUMS ON THE QUALITATIVE INDICATORS AND PRODUCTIVITY OF LEAFY RADISH

Abstract

The experiment was carried out in June 2022 in hydroponics of the small partnership 'Grainis'. The aim of the research – to investigate the influence of different growing media on the photosynthetic indicators and productivity of two varieties of leafy radish. Experiment variants: factor A - growing media: 1) mineral wool, 2) wood fiber, 3) coconut fiber, 4) Growfoam granules, 5) agroperlite; factor B – leafy radish varieties: 1) leafy radish 'Sango', 2) leafy radish 'China rose'.

In all studied growing media, except for agroperlite, significantly higher levels of chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids were found in radishes 'China rose' than in radishes 'Sango'. The highest amount of chlorophyll a was determined in 'China rose' microgreens grown in 'Growfoam' granules and was substantial - 12 and 25 percent higher than the amount of chlorophyll a found in radish grown in coconut fiber and agroperlite, respectively. Growing media and radish variety had no significant effect on the ratio of chlorophyll a and b in microgreens. Radishes of the variety 'China rose' grown in all studied media were significantly more productive than radishes of the variety 'Sango'. Radish microgreens of both varieties grown in coconut fiber had the highest mass of above ground part and were significantly (P<0.05) more productive than radishes grown in other media.