Tillage Radish (Sodbuster) – per kg

The ‘Sodbuster’ Tillage Radish is a specific variety of Daikon-type forage radish, also known locally in South Africa as Japanese or fodder radish. It is primarily cultivated as a cover crop, particularly beneficial in no-till farming systems and in South Africa’s summer rainfall regions. Its main purpose is to “bust” through compacted soil layers and hardpans using its deep-penetrating taproot, which can burrow up to 2 metres deep. This bio-drilling action effectively aerates the soil, improves drainage, and creates channels for the next cash crop.

The radish is known for its fast growth, which establishes a thick canopy to suppress weeds. It acts as an excellent scavenger, soaking up residual nutrients, especially nitrogen, and storing them in its large root. The radishes are not reliably “winter-killed” by frost in all of South Africa’s climate zones, so careful management is essential. In cooler eastern areas, they can be used for late autumn/early winter grazing, but may require supplementary irrigation in drier western regions. After it completes its lifecycle, the root decomposes, releasing nutrients back into the soil for the next crop. ‘Sodbuster’ can also be used as a short-term, high-protein forage option for livestock, including deer, cattle, and sheep.