Mustard is used as a cover crop primarily for its biofumigation properties and for improving soil health. Here's how you use it effectively:
Planting and Growth
- Seed Selection: Choose a mustard variety specifically suited for cover cropping purposes.
- Sowing: Plant mustard seeds after your main crop harvest or during a fallow period. Follow recommended seeding rates for optimal growth and coverage.
- Growth Phase: Allow the mustard to grow vigorously, forming a dense stand of vegetation.
Termination and Incorporation
- Optimal Timing: The key to maximizing mustard's benefits as a cover crop is termination at the flowering stage.
- Flail Mowing: Begin by terminating the mustard plants by flail mowing them.
- Incorporation: Then, immediately incorporate the mowed mustard into the soil using implements such as a rototiller or disc. Work the mowed mustard into the top 5 to 10 inches of the soil for best results.
Key Considerations
- Soil Moisture: Adequate soil moisture is crucial. The breakdown of glucosinolates, which are the compounds responsible for biofumigation, requires sufficient moisture. This ensures the release of biofumigant gasses that help suppress soil-borne pests and diseases.
- Timing: Incorporate the mustard promptly after flail mowing to retain the biofumigant compounds in the soil and enhance their effectiveness.
- Rotation: Plan your crop rotations to allow sufficient time for the mustard to establish, grow, and be incorporated into the soil.
By following these steps, you can effectively utilize mustard as a cover crop to improve soil health and suppress pests and diseases.
