Oilseed Radish Cover Crop

Oilseed radish is a unique cover crop that farmers are planting to improve their soil quality for economic crop production. It has the ability to recycle soil nutrients, suppress weeds and pathogens, break up compaction, reduce soil erosion, and produce large amounts of biomass. Freezing temperatures of 20° to 25° will kill oilseed radish which allows for successful no-till spring planting of subsequent crops. As a fast growing, cool season cover crop, oilseed radish is best utilized when planted after small grain (e.g. wheat) or corn silage harvest. Excess nutrients in manure amended soil are rapidly absorbed by this cover crop, thus preventing leaching or runoff of nutrients into water systems.

Description

Oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus [L.] var. oleiferus), belongs in the Brassicaceae plant family, commonly called mustards. The Daikon type of oilseed radish has a large, fleshy taproot that can grow 2 to 3 inches in diameter and one foot or more in length (Fig. 1), not including the fine root hairs that spread from the main taproot. Above ground growth consists of wide leaves that are soft, moist, and fast growing. The foliage reaches one to two feet in height in a semi-erect stature. Leaf stems easily break from the main root, therefore traffic or grazing will destroy plant growth (Fig. 2).

Planting Recommendations

As a cool season cover crop, oilseed radish is best suited for early fall growth. When given 60 days or more of plant development, maximum return on seed investment can be realized. Opportunities for planting oilseed radish in a cropping system would include:

• After small grain harvest (e.g. wheat)
• After vegetable or sweet corn harvest
• After corn silage harvest
• After early maturity soybean harvest

Seed is planted to a depth of one-half inch. Seed size is similar to alfalfa; therefore, when using a drill, a small seeder attachment is necessary. Broadcast seeding of oilseed radish can be done successfully if followed by light tillage incorporation. Having the soil level after cover crop planting will allow for no-till planting of the following crop next spring.

Seeding rates for oilseed radish will vary according to planting method and date. When drilling before August 15 in Northern Ohio, a seeding rate of 8 to 10 pounds per acre is sufficient. Between August 15 and early September when drill seeding, it is recommended to increase seeding rate to 10 to 12 pounds per acre. However, broadcast application may require an increase of 2 pounds per acre over drilling rates. Several studies have reported that lower seeding rates (6 lbs. per acre) were successful with ample soil moisture and available nutrients when planted before August 15.

Vigorous Growth Potential

Weed suppression is an extra attribute of oilseed radish cover crop. Due to its ability to germinate and vigorously grow under cool conditions, oilseed radish will smother out weeds. This may eliminate a fall herbicide application.Oilseed radish has the potential to produce a total of 9.8 tons per acre of dry biomass when planted by September 1 (Chart 1).

Chart 1. (click image for enlarged view)

Nu​trient Cycling

Due to its fast growing ability, oilseed radish is capable of producing large amounts of biomass in a short period of time. Capturing and recycling of excess soil nutrients in biomass is one of the most important features of this cover crop. When planted after manure, sludge, or fertilizer application, oilseed radish may prevent water quality problems by storing nutrients in its biomass. Due to its fleshy composition (and low carbon: nitrogen ratio), the plant material easily decomposes and nutrients become available for the crop planted the following spring.

For example, if 10 percent of the biomass nutrients are available after decomposition to the following crop planted the next spring, these values would be utilized:

The absorption of soil nitrate (NO₃) by oilseed radish and decrease in soil NO₃ concentration after fall manure application are illustrated in the following example (Chart 2). Averaged across soils and types of manure application, oilseed radish substantially uptake NO₃ and greatly decreased by more than 70% NO₃ concentration in manure amended soil compared with control soil.
 
Table 1. (PDF download) Nutrient content of oilseed radish dry biomass.

Chart 2. (click image for enlarged view)

Chart 3. (click image for enlarged view)

Management

The large taproot produced by oilseed radish generally helps to break-up compacted soil layers over time. These taproots break down easily over winter, leaving holes in the ground that aid in water infiltration and rooting of the subsequent crop (Fig. 4). Freezing temperatures of 20°F will kill oilseed radish. Therefore, Ohio conditions will winterkill this cover crop without any requirement of additional spring time management. One problem with decaying oilseed radish is the smell given off during decomposition. It has a sulfur-like odor that may take a few days to dissipate. If allowed to set for seeding, oilseed radish can become a weed pest. If late fall temperatures remain mild, a mowing or tillage may be necessary to prevent viable seed set.

Seed Source

Production of oilseed radish seed is difficult in the Eastern United States. Due to humid conditions, seed quality is poor. Most seed is produced in the Northwest United States, such as Idaho. It is recommended to check with local seed suppliers who may be able to acquire seed from production areas. Ohio retailers who can secure oilseed radish seed include:

Mid-Wood Inc., Bowling Green, Ohio.
Contact Sam Walther at
Phone: 419-352-5604; email: bgag@mid-wood.com

References

Chen, G. (2009). Alleviation of Soil Compaction by Brassica Cover Crops. Digital Repository, University of Maryland.
drum.lib.umd.edu/bitstream/handle/1903/9517/Chen_umd_0117E_10536.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Michigan State University. (2010). Cover Crops. Michigan State University Extension.
covercrops.msu.edu

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs. (2022). Cover Crops: Oilseed Radish.
omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/cover_crops01/oil_radish.htm

Stewart, G. (n.d.). Cover Crop Potential. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs.
gocorn.net/v2006/Rotation/articles/mag_rotation.htm

Sundermeier, A. (2016). Cover Crop Fundamentals (AGF-142). Ohioline, Ohio State University Extension.
ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/agf-142

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE). (2007). Managing Cover Crops Profitably (3rd ed.). SARE and National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
sare.org/wp-content/uploads/Managing-Cover-Crops-Profitably.pdf

Im​age credits: Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 by Alan Sundermeier; Charts 1 and 2 by Alan Sundermeier; Chart 3 by Dr. Rafiq Islam, OSU South Centers