The development of Raparadish (× Brassicoraphanus, 2n=38), a new crop in agriculture

• Published in: Euphytica 1989, Vol.40 (1-2), p.1-14
• Main Authors: LANGE, W, TOXOPEUS, H, LUBBERTS, J. H, DOLSTRA, O, HARREWIJN, J. L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Classical genetics, quantitative genetics, hybrids; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetics and breeding of economic plants; Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution; Interspecific and intergeneric hybridization, introgressions; Pest animals; Pest resistance; plant breeding; Plant breeding: fundamental aspects and methodology; Pteridophyta, spermatophyta; Raphanus sativus; Varietal selection. Specialized plant breeding, plant breeding aims; Vegetals
• ISSN: 0014-2336; 1573-5060
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00023291

Raparadish, x Brassicoraphanus , the amphidiploid hybrid between Brassica rapa (syn. B. campestris ) and Raphanus sativus (fodder radish) was made by Dolstra (1982). Primary hybrid plants grew vigorously, suggesting that the amphidiploid AARR might be useful as a fodder crop. Three populations of this new material were studied, with special attention to improvement of fertility and resistance to beet cyst nematode (Heterodera schachtii ), whilst preserving genetic variability. Five cycles of mass selection for resistance to beet cyst nematodes led to a considerable increase of the level of resistance of both populations. The prospects of this new agricultural crop are discussed.