Tillage radish, also known as daikon radish, is a cover crop commonly used in agriculture for its ability to break up compacted soil as well as improve soil quality. The radish cover crop plays a crucial role in managing worm populations in the soil, as the deep taproots of tillage radish create channels that allow the worms to move more freely and access deeper layers of the soil profile. The decaying radish residues provide a rich source of organic matter, which serves as food for worms and other soil organisms. As worms feed on these residues and break them down further, they release essential nutrients into the soil and improve soil structure through their burrowing activities. The presence of worms in cover crop fields is a positive indicator of a healthy soil ecosystem, promoting better soil aeration, water infiltration, and nutrient cycling. Earthworms lay their eggs in the soil where tillage radish are grown, mainly because of their attraction to the loose, aerated soil conditions created by the deep taproots of tillage radish. The decaying residues of tillage radish provide food for earthworms and this abundant food supply encourages earthworm reproduction and egg-laying. The improved soil conditions and food availability in tillage radish fields can lead to an increase in the earthworm population, resulting in more cocoons being laid. Earthworm cocoons are small, lemon-shaped cases that contain several eggs. As the cocoons hatch, the juvenile earthworms further contribute to the soil’s health and fertility, creating a beneficial cycle for both the tillage radish crop and the soil ecosystem.
Interestingly, while walking my cover crop fields this year, I noticed the above ground radish carcasses were hollow, while the below ground biomass was intact and solid. As I began to look further, I noticed baby worms burrowing into what was left of the radish. I can only suspect that the adult worms laid their eggs inside of the radish and when the babies hatched they began their life inside of this radish nursery. As they hatched, they had everything they needed to survive: a home, warmth, protection from the elements, and plenty of food! At this point, not only am I a corn and soybean farmer, but have become a worm farmer as well, in my quest to have the healthiest and most productive soils possible. Radish will be an integral part of my cover crop mix from this point forward!
Read more articles in the Summer 2024 CSWCD Newsletter.