Biological peculiarities and possible uses of Raphanus sativus L. var. Oleifera metzg

The article presents some biological peculiarities of growth and development of Raphanus sativus L. var. oleifera plants grown under the climatic conditions of the Republic of Moldova and some of their potential uses. The oil radish plants grown in the collection of fodder, honey and energy plants of the "Alexandru Ciubotaru" National Botanical Garden (Institute) are characterized by early start of vegetation and short growing season. The germination capacity of the seeds is 96.9±1.45. The growing season lasts about 99 days, from the start of vegetation to the beginning of the flowering stage – 42 days, and the flowering stage lasts about 23 days. Honey bees are present on oil radish flowers throughout the flowering stage, in large numbers, demonstrating the honey potential of the plants.