Brassica juncea (CHINESE mustard)
Cool season, annual brassica traditionally grown for its spicy seeds. Germinates quickly on a wide variety of soils; not tolerant of wet soils. Tolerates some drought stress, but intense heat during flowering reduces seed-set. Sensitive to frost and winterkills easily. Use between commercial crops and in home gardens as a green manure to naturally fumigate soil nematodes and pathogens. Wait at least four weeks after plowdown before planting the next crop. Has been used in environmental phytoremediation to remove toxic heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd) from polluted soils. Varieties listed below. Also see Mustard Biofumigant Blend.
DISTRIBUTION / ADAPTATION
INFORMATION & ATTRIBUTES
Family: Brassicaceae
Duration: Annual/Perennial
Growth Habit: Forb/herb
Native Status:
Growth Form:
Mature Height: in.
Bloom Color:
Bloom Period:
Annual Precipitation: in.
Drought Tolerance:
Shade Tolerance:
Elevation:
Fire Resistance:
Fire Tolerance:
Nitrogen fixation:
SOIL ADAPTATION
Coarse Texture:
Medium Texture:
Fine Texture:
Salinity Tolerance:
CaCO3 Tolerance:
pH Range:
SEEDING NOTES
Seeds per Pound:
Seeding Rate: PLS lbs/acre
Season:
Days to Germination:
VARIETIES
Cutlass - Used as a natural biofumigant for suppressing nematodes and common root rot between rotational crops such as potatoes and sugar beets. Also reduces weeds in the subsequent crop year. Biofumigation is improved when fields are planted in a 1:1 mix with White mustard (Sinapis alba). (Released 1985)
Also see Mustard Biofumigant Blend.