The Feasibility of Diakon Radish Seed Production in the ...

This project was funded through a Northeast SARE Partnership Grant
The Feasibility of Diakon Radish Seed Production
in the Shenandoah Valley
Craig W. Yohn, WVU Extension Agent, Jefferson County
Lyle and Cam Tabb, Cooperating Producer
Introduction
The Diakon Radish is being used by several
farmers throughout the mid-Atlantic region as a
cover crop and ―bio– driller‖. The disadvantages
of using this radish are that the seed
may be difficult to locate, and it is relatively
expensive. There are other farmers outside the
traditional seed growing areas
experimenting with seed production/harvest
methods.
Project Purpose
The purpose of the project was to grow and
harvest radish seed in an efficient manner. A
second goal was to measure the affect of three
different rates of nitrogen over a control on
yield.
Methods
In late May a 3.1 acre field was disked, 100
pounds of radish seed (32.3 pounds per acre)
was broadcast over the field and then rolled to
ensure seed to soil contact.
The field was then divided into three replications
of three nitrogen rates(20,40 and 60
pounds per acre) and a control which was applied
in mid June.
The plot was harvested in early September, the
seed was cleaned and weighed and an evaluation
was made of the economic viability of radish
seed production.
Results
The seeding rate was well above normal rates
to attempt to smother out weeds since no pre
emergence or post emergence herbicide was
used.
The radishes were seeded on May 21, 2010
and harvested on September 9, 2010 (111
days).
Figure 1—Raddish seed Pods

Figure 2 - Radish Field in Bloom
Figure 3 - Radish Bloom
Escape weeds were still an issue even with the
high seeding rate and impacted the harvesting
process as can be seen in figures 4 - 7.
Figure 4 - Combine entering the Field
Figure 5 - Major weed problem was lambs
quarter.
Figure 6 - Green cast of field demonstrates
weed issues.
Figure 7 - Combine had difficulties with ‗green‖
material

Figure 8 Radish Seed after First Cleaning
The lambs quarter and other weeds combined
to increase the amount of undesirable foreign
matter in the seed. This made the evaluation
of the nitrogen applications difficult to evaluate
their impact on yield. Lyle Tabb and the Extension
Agent agreed that evaluating the nitrogen
rates was not practical and would not provide
any useable data.
Figure 9 - Unclean Radish Seed
The entire field was harvested and then run
through a seed cleaner twice. Which removed
most of the foreign material.
Figure 10 - Vintage 1930‘s Seed Cleaner last
used to clean wheat for seed
Figure 11 - Lyle Tabb Filling the Seed
Cleaner
Figure 12 - Cleaned seed

Economics
An evaluation of the economics of producing radish seed for farm use is summarized in Table 1.
Table 1—Economic Summary of Radish Planting
Acres Pounds lbs./acre
3.1 245.0 79.0
Cost per pound $0.50
Nitrogen Cost $20.00
Tillage $18.00
Broadcast $11.00
Seed (Pounds) 32.30
Seed Cost $3.50
Seed $113.05
Harvest $30.00
Cleaning $25.00
Total Cost $217.05
Income
Pounds 79.0
Price $3.00
Gross Income $237.10
Net $20.05
Cost per Pound $2.75
The budget above demonstrates that if an average of 40 pounds of nitrogen was applied to the field the
cost per pound of seed harvested and cleaned would be $2.75 per pound. Seed ranges in price from
$3.00 - $4.50 per pound.
Summary
In this one year trial of evaluating growing Diakon Radish for seed, it is marginal as a means of growing
your own seed. Weed control is a major concern that must be addressed in the future. Lower seeding
rates may also be more appropriate if weeds can be controlled. This will also allow the combine to play
a larger part as the seed cleaner.
In this one year trial rain fall was significantly lower than average ( a deficit of 6.01 inches between May
and August). This may have affected the out come of the trial as the full yield potential of the crop could
not be expressed.
Other Observations
Seeding could occur in the early spring (March) rather than waiting until May as plants in other trials
were observed flowering in April.
Acknowledgements
The Extension Agent wishes to thank the cooperation and dedication of producer cooperators
Lyle and Cam Tabb to this trial which took over a year to complete. This project was funded through a
cooperative grant from Northeast SARE.