Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Nasturtium officinale R.Br.: Watercress

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Medicinal, Aromatic and Stimulant Plants

Part of the book series: Handbook of Plant Breeding ((HBPB,volume 12))

Abstract

Nasturtium officinale (watercress) is used as an aromatic food and medicinal plant. Furthermore, it can be used for water phytoremediation. The species is native in the Northern hemisphere, but due to cultivation, it is distributed worldwide. Watercress is perennial plant growing in floating water, naturally tetraploid with unknown diploid progenitors. Propagation is possible by seeds and by cuttings. Watercress production is endangered by several diseases and pests like crook root (Spongospora, Cercospora, Xanthomonas, Fasciola, Lemna, Plutella are the main pests and disease. Flower and pollination biology show an allogamous and entomophilous situation. Recent breeding efforts with conventional and biotechnological methods resulted in better conventional and mutation lines protected by patents.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abe K, Ozaki Y, Kihou N (1993) Use of higher plants and bed filter materials for domestic waste water treatment in relation to resource recycling. Soil Sci Plant Nutr 39(2):257–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Shebaz IA, Price RA (1998) Delimination of the genus Nasturtium (Brassicaceae). Novon 8(2):124–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bleeker W, Huthmann M, Hurka H (1999) Evolution of hybrid taxa in Nasturtium R.Br. (Brassicaceae). Folia Geobot 34:421–433

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aslan M, Ünlü MY, Türkmen N, Yilmaz YZ (2003) Sorption of cadmium and effects an growth, protein content and photosynthetic composition of Nasturtium officinale R. Br. and Mentha aquatica L. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 71:323–329

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baldantoni D, Alfani A (2016) Usefulness of different vascular plant species for passive biomonitoring of Mediterranean rivers. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23(14):13907–13917

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Biddington NL, Ling B (1983) The germination of watercress (Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum) seeds. I The effects of age, storage temperature light and hormones on germination. J Hortic Sci 58:427–433

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bleasdale JKA (1964) The flowering and growth of watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. BR.). J Hortic Sci 39(4):277–283. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221589.1964.11514110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blüthner WD, Fischer R, Bosecker C (2016) Brunnenkresse. R. Burkhardt Verlag, ISBN 978-3-93a7981-64-2, page 19

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyd LA, McCann MJ, Hashim Y et al (2006) Assessment of the anti-genotoxic, anti-proliferative, and anti-metastatic potential of crude watercress extract in human colon cancer cells. Nutr Cancer Int J 55(2):232–241

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Camacho-Corona M, Ramirez-Cabrera MA, Gonzalez-Santiago O et al (2008) Activity against drug resistant-tuberculosis strains of plants used in Mexican traditional medicine to treat tuberculosis and other respiratory diseases. Phytother Res 22(1):82–85

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Claxton JR, Arnold DL, Clarkson JM, Blakesley D (1998) The regeneration and screening of watercress somaclones for resistance to Spongospora subterranea f. sp. nasturtii and measurement of somaclonal variation. Plant Cell Tissue Organ Cult 52:155

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • D’Agaro E (2005) Utilization of water cress (Nasturtium officinale L.) in noble crayfish (Astacus astacus) feeding. Bull Francais de la Peche et de la Pisciculture 380–81:1255–1260

    Google Scholar 

  • Chai TT, Ooh KF, Quah Y, Wong FC (2015) Edible freshwater macrophytes: a source of anticancer and antioxidative natural products-a mini review. Phytochem Rev 14:443–457

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Di Noia J (2014) Defining powerhouse fruits and vegetables: a nutrient density approach. Prev Chronic Dis 11:130390

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Du LQ, Li YX, Li HJ et al (1999) Screening of salt tolerant watercress variants on natural seawater contained medium. Acta Botanica Sinica 41(6):633–639

    Google Scholar 

  • Duman F, Lebkebici Z, Aksoy A (2009) Growth and bioaccumulation characteristics of watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. Br.) exposed to cadmium, cobalt and chromium. Chem Spec Bioavailab 21:257–265

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duman F, Ozturk F (2010) Nickel accumulation and its effect on biomass, protein content and antioxidative enzymes in roots and leaves of watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. Br.). J Environ Sci 22(4):526–532

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fogarty MC, Hughes CM, Burke G et al (2013) Acute and chronic watercress supplementation attenuates exercise-induced peripheral mononuclear cell DNA damage and lipid peroxidation. Br J Nutr 109(2):293–301

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gilby AC, Wainwright H (1989) Use of tissue culture in improvement of watercress (Rorippa nasturtium aquaticum L. Hayerk), ISHS Acta Horticulturae IV, International Symposium on Quality of Vegetables, 244

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta P, Wright S, Kim SH et al (2014, 1846) Phenethyl isothiocyanate: a comprehensive review of anti-cancer mechanism. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer:405–424

    Google Scholar 

  • Hadas SP, Meir S, Akiri B, Kanner J (1994) Oxidative defense systems in leaves of three edible herb species in relation to their senescence rates. J Agric Food Chem 42:2376–2381

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamzeh A (2012) Volatile constituents and antioxidant activity of flowers, stems and leaves of Nasturtium officinale R. Br. Nat Prod Res (2):109–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Hecht S, Chung FL, Richie JP et al (1995) Effects of watercress consumption on metabolism of a tobacco-specific lung carcinogen in smokers. Cancer Epidemiol Biomark Prev 4(8):877–884

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hanelt P (2001) Mansfeld’s encyclopedia of agricultural and horticultural crops, vol 3. Springer, pp 1422–1423

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard HW, Lyon AG (1952) Biological Flora of the British Isles. J Ecology 40(1):228–245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howard HW, Manton I (1946) Autopolyploid and allopolyploid watercress with a description of a new species. Ann Bot (Oxford) 10:1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howard-Williams C, Davies J, Pickmere S (1982) The dynamics of growth, the effects of changing area and nitrate uptake by watercress Nasturtium officinale R. Br. in a New Zealand stream. J Appl Ecol 19:589–601

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jafari S, Hassandokht M (2012) Evaluation of some Iranian watercress (Nasturtium officinale L.) populations using agro-morphological traits. Int J Forest Soil Erosion 2(3):119–123

    Google Scholar 

  • Jin RG, Liu YB, Tabashnik TB, Bothakur D (1999) Tissue culture and Agrobacterium mediated transformation of watercress. Plant Cell Tiss Org Cult 58:171–176

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kara YO, Basaran D, Kara I (1999) The research on Cu++ metal bioabsorption with Nasturtium officinale. Biochem Arch 15(4):305–310

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kara YO (2002) Phytoremediation: using Nasturtium officinale to clean up Zn++−contaminated wastewater. Fresenius Environ Bull 11(12A):1084–1086

    Google Scholar 

  • Keser G, Saygideger S (2010) Effects of lead on the activities of antioxidant enzymes in watercress, Nasturtium officinale R. Br. Biol Trace Elem Res 137(2):235–243

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Klimek-Szczykutowicz M, Szopa A, Ekiert H (2018) Chemical composition, traditional and professional use in medicine, application in environmental protection, position in food and cosmetics industries, and biotechnological studies of Nasturtium officinale (watercress)-a review. Fitoterapia 129:283–292

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Manton I (1934) The cytological history of watercress (Nasturtium officinale). Z. f. induktive Abstammungs- und Vererbungslehre 69:132–157

    Google Scholar 

  • Koike ST, Baameur A, Groenewald JZ, Crous W (2016) Cercospora leaf spot caused by Cercospora armoraciae on watercress in California. Plant Dis 100(4):857. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-07-15-0780-PDN

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kratky BA (2015) Growing direct-seeded watercress by two non-circulating hydroponic methods, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Univ of Hawaii, VC-7, 1–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Li YX, Chang FQ, Du LQ et al (2000) Genetic transformation of watercress with a gene encoding for betaine-aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH). Acta Botanica Sinica 42(5):480–484

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mas-Coma S, Bargues MD, Valero MA (2017) Human fascioliasis infection sources, their diversity, incidence factors, analytical methods and prevention measures. Parasitology 100(4):857. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-07-15-0780-PDN

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer DJ, Crease DJ, Keterer B (1995) Forward and reverse catalysis and product sequestration by human glutathione S-transferases in the reaction of GSH with dietary aralkyl isothiocyanates. Biochem J 306:565–569

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morozowska M, Czarna A, Jedrzejczyk I (2010) Estimation of nuclear content in Nasturtium R. Br. by flow cytometry. Aquat Bot 93:250–253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morozowska M, Czarna A, Jedrzejczyk I, Bocianowski J (2015) Genome size, leaf, fruit and seed traits – Taxonomic tools for species identification in the genus Nasturtium R.Br. Acta Biol Cracov Bot 57(1):114–124

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ozturk F, Duman F, Leblebici Z, Temizgul R (2010) Arsenic accumulation and biological response of watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. Br.) exposed to arsenite. Environ Exp Bot 69:167–174

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Palaniswamy UR, McAvoy RJ (2001) Watercress: a salad crop with chemopreventive potential. Horttechnology 11(4):622–622

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park NI, Kim JK, Park WT, Cho JW, Lim YP, Park SU (2011) An efficient protocol for genetic transformation of watercress (Nasturtium officinale) using Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Mol Biol Rep 38:4947–4953. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-010-0638-5

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Payne AC, Clarkson GJJ, St R, Taylor G (2015) Diversity in global gene expression and morphology across a watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. Br.) germplasm collection: first steps to breeding. Hortic Res 2:15029. https://doi.org/10.1038/hortres.2015.29

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Rasheed S, Khuroo AA, Ganie AH, Mehraj G, Dar TUH, Dar GH (2018) Correct taxonomic delimitation of Nasturtium microphyllum Rchb. from Nasturtium officinale R. Br. (Brassicaceae) in Kashmir Himalaya, India. J Asia Pac Biodivers 11:154–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • US Patent (2010) B&W Quality Growers, Inc., PUB. No. US 2010/0115651 A1

    Google Scholar 

  • US Patent (2014) B&W Quality Growers, Inc., PUB. No. US 2014/0101808 P1

    Google Scholar 

  • Vincent WF, Downes MT (1980) Variation in nutrient removal from a stream by watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. Br.). Aquat Bot 9:221–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vicente JG, Rothwell S, Holub EB, Studholme DJ (2017) Pathogenic, phenotypic and molecular characterisation of Xanthomonas nasturtii sp. Nov. and Xanthomonas floridensis sp. nov., new species of Xanthomonas associated with watercress production in Florida. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 67:3645–3654

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wainwright H, Marsh J (2017) The micropropagation of watercress (Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum L.). J Hortic Sci 61:1–2

    Google Scholar 

  • Walsh JA (1998) Development of watercress lines with improved resistance to crook root (Spongospora subterranea f.sp. nasturtii) and Watercress Yellow Spot Virus (WYSV), Project FV 55c, Final Report, Horticultural Development Council, 1–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Wielanek M, Krolicka A, Bergier K et al (2009) Transformation of Nasturtium officinale, Barbarea verna and Arabis caucasica for hairy roots and glucosinolate-myrosinase system production. Biotechnol Lett 31(6):917–921

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dr. Junghanns GmbH, Aschersleben, Germany

    Wolf-Dieter Blüthner

Authors
  1. Wolf-Dieter Blüthner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Animal Nutrition and Functional Plant Compounds, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Johannes Novak

  2. Dr. Junghanns GmbH, Aschersleben, Germany

    Wolf-Dieter Blüthner

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Blüthner, WD. (2020). Nasturtium officinale R.Br.: Watercress. In: Novak, J., Blüthner, WD. (eds) Medicinal, Aromatic and Stimulant Plants. Handbook of Plant Breeding, vol 12. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-38792-1_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation