Quick Facts

White Mustard is a useful cover crop in vineyards, annual crop rotations, and home gardens as a winter cover. In addition to producting a large amount of high protein green material, Braco white mustard has been shown to suppress nematodes and other soil borne organisms and some weed seeds. Braco suppresses weeds, increases soil tilthe, and increases soil organic matter. If Braco is plowed down, it can reduce the Nitrogen needs for the next crop due to its high Nitrogen content. Growers of root crops like potatoes and sugar beets find nematode suppressing crops like Braco to be very beneficial, but Braco can increase the yields of other crops such as small grains as well.

Nematode Suppression

Nematode suppression occurs in two ways. Braco releases a chemical similar to cyanide that acts as a fumigant in the soil. Also, nematode larvae penetrate the Braco root, but are unable to complete their life cycle, thus drastically reducing the number of nematodes in the soil the following year.