Biofumigation for control of soil fungi and nematodes

Produces 4-5 tons of organic matter per acre. Mow before plants set seed and incorporate into the soil immediately to have the best effect on these soil pests. With proper management, this crop may be used as an organic replacement for methyl bromide. Sow at 6 lb./acre. Blue label/Certified seed. Avg. 28,000 seeds/lb.

Planting and care of mustard:

       Pacific Gold Mustard: 8-ounces per 1,000 sq ft.

• Rake in or very lightly till.
• Lightly irrigate.
• 6-8 weeks till flowering (depending on season).
• Chop mustard to break up cells to release glucosinolates.
• Till under and water to from crust and release gas
• Must wait three weeks till planting another crop.

What is Biofumigation?

Is the suppression of various soil-borne pests and diseases through naturally occurring compounds. The higher the level of glucosinolates in mustard the better the biofumigant effect.

BENEFITS

What can Mighty Mustard® do for me?

• Suppress weeds
• Reduce harmful insects, nematodes and fungal disease
• Increase organic matter
• Recycle & redistribute nitrogen in the soil profile
• Reduce wind & water erosion
• Improve the long-term health of your soil
• Sequester carbon
• Provide an all-natural alternative to toxic chemicals

     1. Suppresses weeds & soilborne pathogens

Mighty Mustard® contains high levels of glucosinolates, natural chemical agents that make certain members of the brassica family spicy. Mighty Mustard’s® glucosinolates deliver a deadly punch to many soilborne pathogens and weeds, making them an effective, all-natural alternative to chemical herbicides. Mighty Mustard® is also a fast-growing cover crop that quickly crowds out weeds. Mighty Mustard® has been found to suppress sclerotinia, Verticillium wilt, rhizoctonia, fusarium, and apahanamyces. In fact, the chemical makeup of Mighty Mustard’s® glucosinolates is similar to many synthethic commercial treatments, including the fungicide metam sodium.

2. Reduces insects

The all-natural glucosinolates in Mighty Mustard® are the basis for many commercial pesticides, including Vapam and Vorlex. Our mustards will not totally eliminate insects, as do some chemical treatments. But unlike chemicals, Mighty Mustard® provides multiple benefits while improving soil health. Please note that flea leaf beetles and cabbage aphids are attracted to Mighty Mustard® plants. This may be good news for organic growers, as new research is uncovering Pacific Gold’s success as a trap crop for the crucifer flea beetle. To learn more about this research, please visit our News page.

3. Increases organic matter

Mighty Mustard® is a fast-growing cover crop, with plant heights reaching up to 6 feet. Once you incorporate the above-ground plant material, or biomass, into your soil, the new organic matter will break down, supporting beneficial fungus and bacteria. According to our agronomist, every 1 percent of organic matter in the soil converts to 20 pounds of nitrogen.

4. Recycles & redistributes nitrogen in the soil profile
   
   Mighty Mustard® taproots can grow 2 to 6 feet, depending on the growing conditions.  These taproots pull nitrogen from deep in the soil profile, and push it up into the plant's leaves.  When you incorporate chopped Mighty Mustard® into the soil, you then redistribute the nitrogen to the top two feet of soil, making it readily accessible to the roots of your fruits, vegetables and other crops.
5. Reduces wind & water erosion

During its growth cycle, the mustard’s root structure breaks the hardpan in soil, creating new pathways for water and the root expansion of future crops. Mighty Mustard’s® taproots, which can range from 2 to 6 feet in length, improve tilth and water infiltration, thereby reducing wind and water erosion.

6. Improves the long-term health of soil

When you grow Mighty Mustard®, you add organic matter to your soil, as well as improve tilth, reduce wind & water erosion, and eliminate or reduce the use of toxic chemicals. You’re actually adding new life to your soil, feeding the beneficial microorganisms that support healthy soil. All of Mighty Mustard’s® benefits are cumulative, so the more often you grow it, the healthier your soil becomes.

7. Sequesters carbon

Like all plants, Mighty Mustard® pulls carbon dioxide from the air into the soil. But our mustards go a bit farther. They help reduce or eliminate the need for petroleum-based chemical soil amendments. Mighty Mustard® also helps hold soil and water in the field, thereby reducing erosion. 

8. Verified Non-GMO by the Non-GMO Project:

Mighty Mustard® has undergone third-party evaluation and is verified non-GMO by the Non-GMO Project. Learn more about The Non-GMO Project here:http://www.nongmoproject.org/

9. Non-toxic and safe to use around children & pets

Mighty Mustard® is non-toxic, untreated planting seed. However, due to its extreme spiciness, children and pets SHOULD NOT eat the mustard seeds or plants, or rub their eyes after touching the mustard seeds or plants.

    10. Safe for organic and sustainable farms & gardens

Mighty Mustard® is not certified organic, but many certified organic growers petition to grow it. Why? Because to our knowledge, there are no organic mustard cover crops with comparable glucosinolate levels to Kodiak, IdaGold or Pacific Gold.

     11. Backed by over 20 years of university research

Mighty Mustard® Kodiak, IdaGold and Pacific Gold were developed by Dr. Jack Brown, Professor of Breeding and Genetics at the University of Idaho. The research team at the University of Idaho’s Soil Biochemistry & Environmental Organic Chemistry, led by Dr. Matthew Morra, has conducted biofumigation research with rapeseed and mustard plants since 1988. For more information, visithttp://soils.cals.uidaho.edu/mmorra/projects/bio.htm

Other university research includes:
Kentucky State

http://organic.kysu.edu/biofumigation3.shtml

http://organic.kysu.edu/Geier-KAS2009-Biofumigation.pdf

http://organic.kysu.edu/SolarizationBiofumigation.pdf

http://organic.kysu.edu/BomfordKAS2008.pdf

  12. Grown sustainably by a family of farmers in the Pacific Northwest:

Mighty Mustard® is grown by a family of farmers, Pacific Northwest Farmers Cooperative, based in Genesee, Idaho. Our farmers take pride in nurturing and protecting their land through sustainable farming practices.

  13. Plant-variety-protected, certified planting seed:

All Mighty Mustard® Kodiak, Pacific Gold and IdaGold planting seed is certified and PVP, so you know exactly what you’re buying: all-natural, high-glucosinolate, non-GMO, 99% pure planting seed.

   14. All-natural alternative to toxic chemicals:

The only ingredient in Mighty Mustard® is mustard. No man-made toxins that will harm you, your children or pets. Granted, our mustards aren’t as effective as chemicals, and they require more work. But if you were interested in shortcuts, you wouldn't be reading this, would you?