Cover Crop Radish
Why ?
Nitrogen mining & Nutrient scavenging
Weed suppression
Improved row crop yields
Ground aeration & Alleviate soil compaction
Promotes water infiltration
Pilot hole root penetration
Reduce use of chemicals and tillage
May provide nematode control
7 weeks old
2 months old
According to University of Maryland soil scientist,
Ray Weil, a radish cover crop will capture 150 to 200
pounds of nitrogen per acre before winter killing.
Upon decomposition, the nitrogen uptake becomes
available to the next cash crop. GroundHog will
scavenge other nutrients as well.
GroundHog has 2-4 times the amount of roots as
rye or rape. (at 10”-20”)
FORAGE MUST OIL0.00
0.25
0.50
0.75
1.00
1.25
Root:sh
oot ra
tio
Interseeded into satnading soybeansat LESREC. Dec. 2004 samples.
Root/shoot ratio
GroundHog Mustard Oilseed
Weed Suppression
GroundHog Plot
Early April Untreated Plot
Weed Suppression
When planted in August, forage radish cover crops emerged at the same time as the weeds
but grew rapidly forming a closed canopy by the beginning of October, a month before spring
oat and fall rye cover crops.
Forage radish was killed by frost between November and February. During the winter, forage
radish residues decomposed rapidly leaving a thin film of residue on the soil. Forage radish
cover crops suppressed all weeds from the time they were planted in late August until April.
Horseweed (Conyza canadensis) was suppressed following forage radish in April during the
planting window for early seeded crops.
When planted in early August, forage radish cover crops can be used to control weeds in the
fall, winter, and early spring.
They show potential to replace the use of a pre plant herbicide application and be
incorporated into management strategies for the control of herbicide resistant horseweed.”
Yvonne Lawley1, Ray Weil1, and John Teasdale2. (1) University of Maryland, University Of Maryland, 1109
HJ Patterson Hall, College Park, MD 20742, (2) USDA-ARS, USDA-ARS Bldg. 001 Rm. 245, 10300
Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705
University of Maryland trial 2005 & 2006
GroundHog produces large
taproots and upon
decomposition, these roots
leave large
holes in the ground that
improve water infiltration
and soil aeration.
GrounHog tubes can go
12”-20” deep.
Following Crop Root Penetration
“Pilot Hole Drilling”
Soybean root where the
decomposed brassica root was.
Space left by decomposed
brassica root.
Management
Seed from August – September (earlier in the north and later in
the south)
10-12lbs per acre
Broadcasted or drilled
¼ inch deep if drilled
Aerial seeding into soybeans before leaf drop
60 units of N for best root growth
Doesn't like wet spots
Winter kills with temperatures in the teens
Don’t use in rotation with brassica crops
Top Related