Common Name: Fodder Radish

General Information

Raphanus sativus oleiformis is an erect, annual plant growing around 45cm tall from a non-swollen rootstock[].
A cultivated form of the garden radish, it is grown mainly for its leaves and oil-rich seeds. It is used mainly as a green manure or stock feed though it can also be eaten by people. The roots of these plants soon become fibrous, though they make acceptable eating when young[].

Known Hazards

The Japanese radishes have higher concentrations of glucosinolate, a substance that acts against the thyroid gland. It is probably best to remove the skin[].

Botanical References

Range

A plant of cultivation. the origin of which is obscure. It probably arose through cultivation.

Habitat

Not known in the wild.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.45 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, flies
Cultivation Status	Cultivated

Cultivation Details

A plant of the temperate zone, though it is often cultivated and can be grown in the tropics at higher latitudes of more than 10° N or S, or at elevations above 1,000 metres[, ]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 12 - 25°c, but can tolerate 5 - 30°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 800 - 1,000mm, but tolerates 500 - 1,500mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position[]. Prefers a rich soil that is well-drained but with ample moisture[, , ]. Dislikes very heavy or acid soils[, ]. Plants are susceptible to drought and require irrigation during dry spells in the summer or the root quality will rapidly deteriorate and the plant will go to seed. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 7.5[].
Radishes are a good companion plant for lettuces, nasturtiums, peas and chervil, tomatoes and cucumbers[, ]. They are said to repel cucumber beetles if planted near cucumber plants and they also repel the vine borers which attack squashes, marrows and courgettes[]. They grow badly with hyssop[, ] and with grape vines[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves - raw or cooked[, , , ]. A somewhat hot taste, and the texture is somewhat coarse[]. As long as they are young, they make an acceptable addition in small quantities to chopped salads and are a reasonable cooked green[]. A nutritional analysis is available[].

Young flower clusters - raw or cooked[]. A spicy flavour with a crisp pleasant texture, they make a nice addition to salads or can be used as a broccoli substitute[, ].

Seeds - raw. The seed can be soaked for 12 hours in warm water and then allowed to sprout for about 6 days[]. They have a hot spicy flavour and go well in salads[, ].

An edible oil is obtained from the seed[, ].

Young seedpods - raw[, , , ]. Crisp and juicy with a mildly hot flavour[]. They must be eaten when young because they quickly become tough and fibrous[].

Medicinal

Radishes have long been grown as a food crop, but they also have various medicinal actions. The roots stimulate the appetite and digestion, having a tonic and laxative effect upon the intestines and indirectly stimulating the flow of bile[]. Consuming radish generally results in improved digestion, but some people are sensitive to its acridity and robust action[].

The plant is used in the treatment of intestinal parasites, though the part of the plant used is not specified[].

The leaves, seeds and old roots are used in the treatment of asthma and other chest complaints[].

The juice of the fresh leaves is diuretic and laxative[].

The seed is carminative, diuretic, expectorant, laxative and stomachic[, , ]. It is taken internally in the treatment of indigestion, abdominal bloating, wind, acid regurgitation, diarrhoea and bronchitis[].

The root is antiscorbutic, antispasmodic, astringent, cholagogue, digestive and diuretic[, ]. It is crushed and used as a poultice for burns, bruises and smelly feet[]. Radishes are also an excellent food remedy for stone, gravel and scorbutic conditions[]. The root is best harvested before the plant flowers[]. Its use is not recommended if the stomach or intestines are inflamed[].

The plant contains raphanin, which is antibacterial and antifungal[, ]. It inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, streptococci, Pneumococci etc[]. The plant also shows anti-tumour activity[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The growing plant repels beetles from tomatoes and cucumbers[, ]. It is also useful for repelling various other insect pests such as carrot root fly[].

Other Uses

There is a fodder variety that grows more vigorously and is used as a green manure[].

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ. Germination should take place within 2 weeks.

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