Turgid radishes seem more susceptible to splitting

Splitting of the radish (Raphanus sativus) hypocotyl is a problem for commercial growers as losses due to splitting can reach 30 %. High levels of splitting means batches of radish have to be hand sorted which is costly. Previous experiments have shown the water content hypocotyl can vary as a result of both pre and post-harvest environment. It is thought the water content and turgidity of the hypocotyl at harvest, and during post-harvest handling, may influence the susceptibility of the hypocotyl to damage. Hypocotyl water content was manipulated by saturating the hypocotyl in deionised water or by air drying to achieve a range of water contents between 93% and 97%. The hypocotyls were tested for susceptibility to splitting as a result of post-harvest mechanical damage using impact, compression and puncture tests.Radish hypocotyl water content was found to be negatively correlated with puncture force. Puncture force decreased linearly from 1.1 kg for hypocotyl water contents less than 95.5 % to 0.7 kg for water contents above 96.5%. Additionally an increase in the number of radishes which split after dropping was observed at hypocotyl water contents above 96.5 %. No relationship was found between the compressive split force and hypocotyl water content. These results suggest radishes are more susceptible to splitting post-harvest from dropping and puncture at high hypocotyl water contents. SourcesINVESTIGATING FACTORS AFFECTING POST-HARVEST SPLITTING INRADISH (RAPHANUS SATIVUS)Lockley, R1, Grove, I1, Monaghan, J1rlockley@harper-adams.ac.uk1Harper Adams University, Shropshire, UKIHC 2014, International Horticulture Congress, 17-22 August 2014, Brisbane,http://www.ihc2014.org/Radish picture by www.extension.umn.edu Key wordsPoscosecha?? ?postcosecha?? ?postharvest?? ?na-oes?? ??? ??? ???????? ????? ??? ?post-r?colte?? ????? ?? ??????????? ??? ?na-oogst?? ?post-raccolta?? ?Obr?bka po?? ?p?s-colheita?? ????????????????? ?hasat sonras??? ??? ?Ernte?? ????????????????? ????? ????????????? ?postcollita?? ?poskliz?ov頠 ????? ??? ??? ??? ?nakon branja?? ?pozberov頠 ??? ?obdelovanje zemlje po?? ?post-colleita?? ?????? ??????? ?pascapanen?? ??il?onn postharvest?? ??????? ?p?c ra?as?? ?derliaus apdirbimas po?? ?lepas tuai?? ??? ?? ???????? ?post-recoltare?? ??????? ??????? ???????????????????? ?????????????? ?????????????????? ?sau thu ho?ch?? ?????????????????? ?zangemva kwenkathi yokuvuna?? ??? ? R?bano?? ??? ?radish?? ??? radyse?? ?????? ????? ?rafano?? ?radis?? ??????????? ??????? ?radijs?? ?ravanello?? ?rzodkiewka?? ?rabanete?? ???????? ?turp?? ??????? ??? Rettich?? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ????