'Tapmaster' Daikon Radish Cover Crop

Raphanus sativus

Origin: Asia (via Minnesota)

Improvement status: Cultivar

Seeds per packet: 3/4 pound

Germination tested 3/2024: 90%

Life cycle: Annual

Tapmaster is a "tillage radish" bred for its long roots. Like other daikon radishes (also sometimes called oilseed radishes), Tapmaster produces natural glucosinolates (GSLs) which reduce soil-born pests like pathogenic nematode and fungi. They can even inhibit weed seed germination. The plants are hardy and drought tolerant, and they improve soil structure and soil organic matter content, even capable of breaking in the "hard-pan" that can develop from frequent tractor work. It's also an excellent "scavenger" of nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium, helping to bring up these nutrients and make them available for plants grown in subsequent seasons. It's considered the ideal cover crop to precede root crops like potatoes, carrots, beets, parsnips, and onions, along with peas, beans and other vegetable crops. And while its main use is as cover crop, it's also edible too! The leaves and roots are especially good pickled or fermented. Our seed comes from Albert Lea Seed in Albert Lea, Minnesota.