ABSTRACT
Radish, an annual crop with a thickened root, is one of the very important vegetables in East Asia, particularly in Japan. A long period of breeding of the radish has produced a diverse range of local varieties, which vary not only in their morphological characters, but also in their eco-physiological responses. In radish, not only seed vernalization, but also plant vernalization is effective. Radish plants grown in nutrient culture can flower in total darkness. Radish is utilized mainly for its succulent root of refreshing pungency, being favored as a boiled vegetable and also for traditional pickles. The cvs of Japanese radish may be divided roughly into two groups depending on their response to low temperature. The first group, which requires lower temperatures of prolonged duration, involves some slow-bolting cvs, such as Tokinashi and Ninengo. The second group includes most of the ordinary cvs which are sown at the beginning of autumn and will be harvested in the winter.
