Varieties
Early Mizuna, Florida Broadleaf, Green Wave, Large Smooth Leaf, Savanna, Southern Giant Curled, Tendergreen
Soil Preferences
Deep, friable, sandy loam with pH 5.5-7.5; will tolerate wide range of soil types with proper management. Avoid excessively heavy soils that can cause root malformation.
Optimum Growing Conditions
Cool season crop with tolerance to frost and light freezes. Temperature above 75°F for prolonged periods can slow growth and reduce quality.
Establishment Methods
| Planting Method | Direct seeded |
|---|---|
| Optimum Time | Spring - seed zone temperature >40°F Fall - seed zone temperature <105°F |
| Seeding rate | 3-4 lbs/acre |
| Approx seed/oz | 15,000 |
| Seeding depth | 1/4-1/2" |
| Seedling spacing | Double plant rows on 38-40" raised beds with 4-6" in-row spacing |
Fertility/Fertilization
Rates presented as actual lbs/acre N2, P2o5, and K2o (base actual rates applied on soil test results).| Generalized rate: 50 - 70- 100 lb/acre | |
| N* | 35-80; 25-40 lbs pre-plant + 10-40 lbs side-dressed 25 days after planting |
|---|---|
| P | 50-120 banded 2" below seed at planting |
| K | 70-120 applied pre-plant with the nitrogen (normally only required in east Texas) |
Water/Irrigation
10 - 15" uniformly available throughout growing season.Pest Management
Mustard Green Diseases and Common Name of Fungicidal Controls
| DISEASE | FUNGICIDE* | OMRI LISTED FUNGICIDE** |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf spot | neem oil | |
| Downy mildew | acibenzolar-s-methyl, copper sulfate, dimethomorph, fenamidone, mandpropamid, mefenoxam, fosetyl-Al, potassium phosphite, pyraclostrobin, | Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus subtilis, copper hydroxide, cuprous oxide, extract of Reynoutria sachalinensis, neem oil, potassium bicarbonate, streptomyces lydicus, |
Mustard Green Insect Pests and Common Name of Insecticidal Controls
| INSECT | INSECTICIDE* | OMRI LISTED INSECTICIDE** |
|---|---|---|
| Aphid | Acetamiprid, Bifenthrin, Cypermethrin, Dimethoate, Endosulfan, Imidacloprid, Malathion, Petroleum oil, Piperonyl butoxide, Potassium salts of fatty acids, Thiamethoxam, Zeta-cypermethrin | Azadirachtin, neem oil, Peppermint and rosemary oil, Pyrethrins, |
| Armyworms | Beta-cyfluthrin, Bifenthrin, Carbaryl, Chlorantraniliprole, Cyfluthrin, Cypermethrin, Emamectin benzoate, Flubendiamide, Indoxacarb, Methomyl, Methoxyfenozide, Piperonyl butoxide, Spinetoram, Tebufenozide, Zeta-cypermethrin | Azadirachtin, Bacillus thuringiensis, pheromones, Pyrethrins, Spinosad |
| Cabbage Looper | Beta-cyfluthrin, Chlorantraniliprole, Cyfluthrin, Emamectin benzoate, Endosulfan, Esfenvalerate, Flubendiamide, Indoxacarb, Malathion, Methomyl, Methoxyfenozide, Piperonyl butoxide, Spinetoram, Tebufenozide, Zeta-cypermethrin | Azadirachtin, Bacillus thuringiensis, Pyrethrins, Spinosad |
| Diamondback Moth | Acetamiprid, Beta-cyfluthrin, Bifenthrin, Carbaryl, Chlorantraniliprole, Cyfluthrin, Emamectin benzoate, Endosulfan, Flubendiamide, Indoxacarb, Malathion, Methomyl, Methoxyfenozide, Piperonyl butoxide, Spinetoram, Zeta-cypermethrin | Azadirachtin, Bacillus thuringiensis, pheromones, Spinosad |
| Flea Beetle | Bifenthrin, Carbaryl, Cypermethrin, Endosulfan, Imidacloprid, Malathion, Piperonyl butoxide, Thiamethoxam, Zeta-cypermethrin | Azadirachtin, Kaolin, Pyrethrins, |
| Mite | Petroleum oil | Azadirachtin, neem oil, Pyrethrins |
Weeds and Common Name of Herbicidal Controls
| WEED | HERBICIDE* | OMRI LISTED HERBICIDE** |
|---|---|---|
| Preplant incorporated | DCPA, bensulide, trifluralin | Corn gluten meal |
| Preemergence (prior to spear emergence) | DCPA | |
| Postemergence | carfentrazone, sethoxydim, glyphosate, pelargonic acid, clethodim, clopyralid | d-limonene, clove oil, cinnamon and clove oil |
* The above is a partial listing of controls intended as examples. Some labels may have been revoked since the publication of this guide. Refer to product labels for specifics and use accordingly. Ensure that products with one of the listed active ingredients is registered for the crop it is to be used on. Failure to do the above may result in crop injury, death and/or citation for law violation. Humans, animals and the environment may also be adversely affected by misuse.
** As stated in §205.206 of the National Organic Standards, pest management decisions should follow a hierarchical approach, which should be defined in a farm's organic systems plan. Please ensure that you have followed the appropriate steps and any product to be used in certified organic production systems has been approved by your certifying agent.
Harvest
| Days after planting | 40-60 days |
|---|---|
| Normal method | Hand or machine |
| Containers | Bushel baskets/bulk |
| Grades | U.S. #1 and U.S. #2 depending upon defects and uniformity |
| Packaging/Handling | Bunched - 23-24 lb carton holding 24 1 lb film bags 30-35 lb bushel/crate/carton with 12-24 bunches (processing-bulked sold by ton) |
| Anticipated yield/acre | Fresh Market - 450 cartons Processing - 7-8 tons |
Transit Conditions
32°F at 90 - 95% RH; shelf-life 3 weeks.Comments/Production Keys
- Temperature near freezing 3 - 4 weeks prior to harvest increases quality
- Temperature above 75°F during the above time frame decreases yield and quality
- Refrigerate harvested leaves as soon as possible to prevent loss of quality; place under high humidity conditions (particularly important to prevent shriveling)