Improving light use efficiency of Brassicaceae crops for growing novel foods

D. Arena, N. Major, S.G. Ban, N. Al Achkar, G.F. Rizzo, F. Branca
This study aimed to investigate the effects of solar radiation on the growth and biochemical variations of two genotypes of commercial rocket, namely Eruca sativa L. var. darkita and var. lobata (RC1 and RC2, respectively), as well as Sicilian Black sprouting broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck, Broccolo nero, BR). Black shade nets with different reduction of solar radiation (SR100, SR40) were employed in this experimental trial. The experimental design adopted was split plot and the main experimental factor was represented by solar radiation (SR100, SR40), the secondary one represented by the growth stage (sprouts, microgreens and baby-leaves), and the third one by the genotype (BR, RC1 and RC2). The harvested plants were characterized for the main morphometric traits. A comprehensive assessment of various biochemical parameters, such as radical scavenging activity (DPPH), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), total flavonoid content (TFC), glucose, sucrose, fructose, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and total sugars, was conducted. The light uses efficiency (LUE) considering the different solar radiations conditions was calculated. Our findings shed light on the impact of solar radiation on the growth and biochemical profile of sprouts, microgreens, and baby leaves of the tested genotypes. A significant finding concerns the sugars composition, which is predominantly influenced by solar radiation. Significant interaction between solar radiation, growth stage and genotypes were observed for ORAC, FOS and total sugars. Additionally, FOS decreased under reduced solar radiation conditions during the baby leaves stage. BR showed the highest FOS content which value was 160.9 g kg‑1 d.w. The results could be useful for selecting genotypes that are more efficient under low solar radiation conditions.
Arena, D., Major, N., Ban, S.G., Al Achkar, N., Rizzo, G.F. and Branca, F. (2025). Improving light use efficiency of Brassicaceae crops for growing novel foods. Acta Hortic. 1416, 555-566
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2025.1416.71
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2025.1416.71
broccoli, rocket, solar radiation, plant growth stage, sugars, antioxidant capacity
English

Acta Horticulturae