Daikon Radish

Their fast fall growth makes them an ideal fit for a traditional corn-soybean rotation. Radish residues decompose very quickly in the spring, leaving clean seedbeds until early April. The residues have been proven to suppress germination of small annual grasses. The nutrients swept away are easily returned to the soil for subsequent crops. Fields planted with radishes can help the soil dry and warm faster in the spring. The large root furrows left behind are rich in nutrients and allow for excellent water infiltration, reducing water erosion and providing a path for crop roots to penetrate compacted soil layers. Radishes also help suppress pest and nematode infestations.