Pac Choi (Toy Choi)

Introduction[edit]

Brassica rapa var. chinensis, commonly known as Pak Choi or Bok Choy, is a member of the Brassicaceae family. It is a variety of the species Brassica rapa, which includes other vegetables like Chinese cabbage and mustard greens^[1]^[2]. This plant is widely cultivated for its edible leaves and stems, which are used in various Asian dishes. The varieties of Pak Choi include ‘Toy Choi/Shakushina’, ‘Yuushou F1’, ‘Shiro F1’, ‘Win-win Choi’, ‘Rosie F1’, ‘Li Ren’, ‘Red Pac F1’, ‘Black Summer F1’, ‘Tokyo Bekana’, ‘Bopak F1’, ‘Extra Dwarf’, ‘Mei Quing Choi F1’, ‘Delight’, and ‘Red Tatsoi’.

Characteristics[edit]

Physical Characteristics: Pak Choi has dark green leaves with white or creamy white stalks, offering a mild, sweet flavor and a crunchy texture^[3]^[4]. The plant grows up to 1 to 2 feet tall, with a spread of about 1 to 1.5 feet^[5].
Growing Conditions: It thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires well-drained, moist soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5^[6]^[7]. It is moderately difficult to grow, requiring careful pest control and good timing for spring crops^[8].
Lifecycle: Pak Choi is an annual or biennial plant grown as an annual. It matures in about 60 days and can be harvested continuously by picking individual leaves or the whole head^[9]^[10].

Why is this crop useful for space?[edit]

Pak Choi is a promising crop for space cultivation due to several reasons: - Nutritional Value: It is rich in vitamins and minerals, providing essential nutrients for astronauts. - Growth Characteristics: Its compact size and fast growth rate make it suitable for controlled environments like hydroponics or aeroponics in space. - Adaptability: It can tolerate a range of light conditions, which is beneficial in space where light may be limited or controlled^[11]. - Low Maintenance: Compared to other crops, Pak Choi requires relatively less maintenance, which is advantageous in space where resources are limited.

History of Cultivation in Space[edit]

While there is no specific record of Brassica rapa var. chinensis being cultivated in space, various Brassicaceae family members have been considered for space agriculture due to their nutritional value and adaptability. For example, NASA and other space agencies have explored growing Brassica crops like broccoli and kale in controlled environments for future long-duration missions. However, specific experiments or plans involving Pak Choi in space have not been widely documented.

References[edit]

[1] ttps://britannica.com/plant/Chinese-mustard

[2] ttps://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/brassica-rapa-chinensis-group

[3] ttps://plants.moananursery.com/12170011/Plant/32701/Joi_Choi_Pak_Choi

[4] ttps://plants.platthillnursery.com/12120026/Plant/29340/Bok_Choy

[5] ttp://gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scene0bdf.html

[6] ttps://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/brassica-rapa-chinensis-group

[7] ttp://gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scene0bdf.html

[8] ttp://gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scene0bdf.html

[9] ttps://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/brassica-rapa-chinensis-group

[10] ttp://gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scene0bdf.html

[11] ttps://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/brassica-rapa-chinensis-group

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