Effect of substrates on fresh biomass of radish (Raphanus sativus) microgreens grown under ambient conditions

Microgreens are natural, rich sources of antioxidants that are good for health. Thus, a study was conducted to determine the influence of the different substrates (carbonized rice hull (CRH), cocopeat, vermiculite, and perlite+cocopeat (P+C) on the growth of radish microgreens under ambient conditions (30 ± 2 °C temperature and 65 ± 5% relative humidity). The microgreens (2 days after emergence (DAE)) were exposed to 6-8 h of light until the 6 DAE. The treatments were arranged in a Completely Randomized Design and replicated four times. Microgreens with true leaves were harvested at 6 DAE. Results showed that those microgreens grown in P+C exhibited taller plants and longer hypocotyls at 6 DAE. However, they had comparable root length and total soluble solids to the other substrates. But greater fresh biomass of radish microgreens was observed in P+C, followed by CRH. The dry matter of microgreens grown in vermiculite and cocopeat displayed the highest. Thus, it can be recommended for the growers to use the P+C due to a higher fresh biomass. However, CRH is recommended if this is the available substrate due to its second rank as the highest yielder of radish microgreens.