Cover Crop RadishCover Crop Radish

Why ?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/shootratio

GroundHog Mustard Oilseed

Weed SuppressionWeed Suppression

GroundHog Plot Early April

Untreated Plot

Weed SuppressionWeed 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 Following Crop Root PenetrationPenetration

“Pilot Hole Drilling”“Pilot Hole Drilling”Soybean root where the

decomposed brassica root was.

Space left by decomposed brassica root.

Management 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