Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus
Tapper Radish
Tapper daikon radish is commonly grown as a cover crop, for grazing, or in wildlife food plot mixtures. It is a cool-season annual with an extra-long taproot noted for breaking up compacted soils and scavenging for nutrients. Its quick growth is great for short growing seasons and provides a good ground cover that smothers weeds in a very short timeframe. Its leafy top-growth provides forage, and deer and livestock will dig up the long, flavorful tap roots. Livestock producers should be aware that other forages may need to be provided for a complete nutritional program when grazing radishes. Daikon oil seed radish should constitute no more than two-thirds of the livestock diet. It is best to plant radish with oats, annual rye, sorghum Sudan grass, or other types of forages to help provide enough dry matter for grazing.
Key features
- Easy to seed, and quick to germinate when sufficient moisture is present
- Reduces soil compaction while improving water infiltration and soil tilth
- Diminishes the effects of both water and wind erosion
- Preserves valuable soil moisture
- Traps and cycles nutrients, allowing ensuing crops to utilize
- Supports the transition to no-till planting and conservation agriculture
- Produces extensive above-ground biomass
- Aids in winter annual weed suppression and reduces competition from spring annual weeds