Evaluation of Italian and Spanish Accessions of Brassica rapa L.: Effect of Flowering Earliness on Fresh Yield and Biological Value

Abstract

A comparative study for evaluating Italian and Spanish accessions of Brassica rapa var. rapa L., including turnip greens and turnip tops, was carried out at different locations with a view to determine the effect of earliness on crop production, antioxidant activity, glucosinolates amount, and profile (GLSs) and total phenolics content. The accessions evaluated were represented by two turnip top local varieties (one Italian variety and a Galician one), four new synthetic varieties established by Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), and three commercial varieties widely used by growers in Galicia and in Italy. The results showed a great variability regarding flowering time, fresh and dry weight of the leaves and flower buds, and the branch number per plant. The highest turnip greens production was found in two synthetic varieties (“SIN07” and “SIN01”) for both countries. Local varieties “BRS550” and “CM39” were also suitable for turnip greens production in Spain and Italy, respectively. For turnip tops, the highest production was found for “SIN07” in Spain, for “CM39” in Italy and for “BRS550” in both countries. We found a high diversity in the total and individual glucosinolate, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity among genotypes, geographical origins, and the different parts of the plant (leaf and flower). Varieties “SIN01” and “SIN07” showed the highest values in total GLSs, total aliphatic and gluconapin contents in turnip greens followed by the two commercial varieties. For turnip tops, the highest values in gluconapin, aliphatic, and total GLSs contents were found in “SIN01” and “BRS550”. Even though different varieties stand out over the rest depending on the location, “SIN01”, “SIN07”, “CM39”, and “BRS550” could be recommended for turnip greens production because of its high antioxidant activity. The study showed that the latest varieties are more productive and show higher bioactive compounds than the earlier ones and that it is possible to improve genotypes for different growing cycles. Therefore, these varieties could be proposed for further breeding programs for B. rapa production.

The Effect of Water Stress on the Glucosinolate Content and Profile: A Comparative Study on Roots and Leaves of Brassica oleracea L. Crops

“…However, in the study by Khan et al (2010) [47], the waterlogged plants had the highest levels of GLSs, whereas the plants under drought stress had the lowest levels. The genotypes can influence the GLSs patterns, and the accessions of the same varietal group can show significant differences for both the GLSs total amount and profile in relation to the genotype and to the environmental conditions [48,49]. Individual GLSs detected in this study varied between water stress treatments.…”

Effects of Growing Cycle and Genotype on the Morphometric Properties and Glucosinolates Amount and Profile of Sprouts, Microgreens and Baby Leaves of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck) and Kale (B. oleracea L. var. acephala DC.)

“…Another element that can modify the GLS profile is genotype; in this framework, analyses of the GLS composition of underexploited landraces and new varieties of B. oleracea crops should be conducted through a more exhaustive evaluation of their agronomic performances and biological value for human health in a wider range of environmental conditions, such as the Mediterranean and Atlantic areas [25,26].…”

Insect herbivory but not plant pathogen infection drive floral volatile‐mediated indirect effects on pollinators and plant fitness in Brassica rapa

“…rapa ) is an annual crop in the Brassicaceae family commonly grown in temperate climates worldwide for its edible leaves. In the temperate regions, this species starts flowering in late winter (February–March), and matures and disperses its seeds in late spring (May–June) (Cartea et al., 2021). This species is self‐incompatible and mostly relies on pollinators for fertilisation and reproduction (Schiestl et al., 2014).…”