Jul 22, 2010
Mustard is often used as a cover crop in Ventura County. There are many benefits to using this plant in fields including:
- Excellent weed competitors
- Taproot breaks soil compaction
- Abundant, fast-degrading biomass
- Drought tolerance
- Supports bees and natural enemies
- Contains allelochemicals
These allelochemical compounds in mustard are similar to those found in fumigants. Current research shows it is possible to use this green biomass to prepare fields for production.
A presentation of this research was recently given by Ventura County Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor Oleg Daugovish. This presentation has been archived on our website with sound.