Fodder radish
Fodder radish is suitable for sowing as a green cover in the month of August. When choosing a variety, look at DM yield, the speed of soil cover (to limit the leaching of nitrates), weed suppression, late flowering (important for storage in the succeeding crop) and sensitivity to frost (important for being able to plow under). For early sowing (late July – early August), the use of beet cyst nematode resistant varieties is also recommended, especially in a crop rotation plan with sugar beets.
Since the seed of tetraploid varieties is heavier, approximately 25% more seed should be used compared to diploid varieties. Fodder radish reacts more strongly to a poor soil structure than white mustard.
The table below summarizes the main characteristics of the fodder radish varieties, which are currently on the Belgian variety list.
Main characteristics of fodder radish varieties1
| Variety | Ploidy2 | Year of admission | Fresh yield3 | DM-Yield3 | Ground cover rate (1-9)4 | Time of flowering (1-9)4 | Frost sensitivity (1-9)4 | Plant length at harvest (cm) | Resistance to beet cyst nematodes5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CASSIUS | D | 2001 | 101 | 101 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 5.7 | 69 | R |
| DUX | D | 1999 | 95 | 97 | 8 | 7 | 6.1 | 66 | R |
| SIRIUS | D | 2000 | 105 | 107 | 8 | 7 | 6.6 | 69 | R |
| SIXTUS | T | 2001 | 100 | 95 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 64 | R |
| 100 - t/ha | - | - | 54.3 | 4.2 | - | - | - | - | - |
1 Reproduction of the complete table from the descriptive variety list is allowed provided that the source is acknowledged. Counterfeiting prohibited.
2 D= Diploid, T= Tetraploid
3 100 = average of all varieties on the ILVO variety list
4 The higher the number, the better
5 R = resistant