Caliente

Mustard
Blends
I mproving the Health of
Agricultural Soils
Caliente Mustards have been bred specifically for biofumigation and green manuring. The naturally
occurring biofumigant gas (ITC) is produced by the plants when the crop is chopped, incorporat-
ing this compound and the green material into soil results in many benefits including improved soil
structure, health and fertility, suppression of various soil-borne diseases and pests and increased
soil microbial activity.
Caliente Mustards



Benefits of green manuring:
1. Improves soil fertility and structure
2. Adds nutrients and organic matter
3. Improves soil aeration
4. Increases water infiltration and holding capacity
5. Reduced soil erosion from wind and water
6. Increases soil biodiversity by stimulating the growth of beneficial microbes and other soil or-
ganisms
7. Ideal for organic crop rotations and conventional systems where ICM (Integrated Crop Man-
agement) and reduced risk inputs are favoured

What is biofumigation?
Biofumigation refers to the suppression of various soil borne pests and diseases by naturally occur-
ring compounds. Caliente Mustard produces isothiocyanate (ITC) a natural gas released from all bras-
sicaceous plant tissues. The gas is produced when plant cells are damaged (by crushing or chopping)
and compounds called glucosinolates (present in all brassicas) come into contact with an enzyme
(myrosinase) in the presence of water.

It is believed that this mechanism was originally developed by the plant as a defence against sucking
and chewing insects, but over time many of the glucosinolates (the compounds that make certain
brassicas hot e.g. radishes) have been bred out of
brassica crops to make them more palatable for human
and animal consumption e.g. cabbage and cauliflower,
or to produce better quality oil e.g. oil seed rape.

To create the best biofumigation effect, Caliente Mus-
tard plants must be chopped as finely as possible be-
fore immediately incorporating into soil, simply plough-
ing in the crop will not give the same effect.
The following diagram simplifies the chemical reaction
that takes place in a plant cell during biofumigation.
3. Biofumigation
Glucosinolates
Enzyme
Isothiocyanate
I TC
Tissue
Damage
How is Caliente Mustard different?


Caliente Mustards are bred specifically for biofumigation, they contain very high levels of the cor-
rect glucosinolates (there are many different types, and some do not produce lots of ITC), and high
levels of the myrosinase enzyme, in addition they have the potential to grow into large plants pro-
ducing high levels of biomass and therefore more green tissue to produce ITC when chopped.
Caliente Mustards have been developed over many
years, with new blends and varieties developed for per-
forming specific functions, and for growing in different
climates and situations. They are not simple green ma-
nure or cover crops and should not be confused with
fodder mustard which is commonly available as a green
manure and will not generate the same biofumigation
effect.
When considering disease suppression, it is important
to note that the biofumigation aspect is not the only
important factor. It is a combination of the biofumiga-
tion plus the incorporation of green material into the
soil which encourages beneficial microbe multiplication. These beneficial soil microbes play an im-
portant part in out-competing pathogenic microbes for space in the soil profile, helping to keep
soil disease levels down.
Healthy Stands Compete With Weeds
Growing the Crop

Successful biofumigation and green manuring from Caliente Brand Mustards requires a number of
inputs, which will be repaid in following crops. Failure to treat Caliente Brand Mustards as a crop
may result in disappointment.

Seed placement

A reasonable seed bed is required, maximum seeding depth 5-10 mm. Seed should be shallow drilled
and rolled, or broadcast (shallow harrowed) and rolled. Seed can be broadcast into cereal stubbles,
rolling will improve germination. Fixed beds - reduce seeding rate/ha to take account for wheel
tracks.

Timing

Crops grown on non-irrigated land should be timed to coincide
with normal weather patterns. Crops will respond to irrigation
during dry periods. Summer sown crops will respond well to irri-
gation throughout all crop stages to supplement rainfall.
Overwintering of crops is possible.

Irrigation

Soil moisture is essential at sowing and to establish the crop; lack of water will lead to premature
flowering and reduced biomass production. The biofumigation reaction will only occur in the pres-
ence of moisture. Where irrigation is available, ensure crop is watered throughout germination and
establishment, and as required to keep soil moist.





Fertilizer

For maximum biomass production Caliente Brand Mustard
crops require 120-140 kg/ha nitrogen, depending on soil
type and previous cropping. Up to 90% of this nitrogen will
be recycled and made available to following crops. Apply
entire quantity of N at or immediately after sowing, except
for overwintered crops where applications should
be split into two; at sowing, and once growth restarts in
early spring.
Sulphur levels vary greatly by soil and geography, but as a
guide Caliente Brand Mustard crops require S in a ratio of 1:5 with N, for maximum glucosinolate pro-
duction.
Organic growers may experience reduced biomass due to restricted fertilizer inputs, however good
crops can still be achieved on fertile soil.

Incorporation

Time to crop maturity will vary with time of year
and climatic conditions, but generally ranges from
60-100 days for a spring to late summer sown crop.
Overwintered crops will take significantly longer. At
maturity vertical growth will stop, and if grown to
full potential will achieve a height of approx 100-150
cm, producing 50-100 t/ha biomass (fresh weight), of
which 15-20% constitutes dry matter. Aim to incor-
porate crop up to 2 weeks after first bloom for
maximum biofumigation effect.
Chop the crop using a flail mower with hammer
blades for maximum cell destruction, immediately
followed by cultivation equipment to incorporate to
a depth no greater than 15cm, producing a fine tilth
and rolled to seal the surface, trapping the ITC gas.
In 20 minutes 80% of the ITC gas will be lost it is therefore essential to incorporate the crop as
quickly as possible after chopping. Use two pieces of equipment that closely follow each other, or large
machinery that allows for one pass. Soil moisture at incorporation is essential for biofumigation, either
irrigate or incorporate after rain.


Post Incorporation

Leave for 14 days after incorporation before planting subsequent crops. Crops grown as soon as possi-
ble after 14 day period will gain greatest benefit from green manure and biofumigation.
Avoid ploughing and excessive cultivation before the following crop, subsequent cultivations should re-
main within the incorporated depth. All varieties are soft seeded and should not pose a volunteer prob-
lem providing seed is not allowed to ripen.
As a guide, after first bloom, seed ripening takes 28-42 days. Any ripened seeds that do self-sow will
germinate in one flush, enabling easy control by mechanical or chemical methods.
CALIENTE BRAND MUSTARD PRODUCTS
AVAILABLE FROM SEED AND FIELD SERVICES LTD.

Caliente Brand Mustard 199

Produces excellent biomass with the highest biofumigation potential available.
Contains ISCI 99, with the highest glucosinolate level of any commercial variety. Ex-
cellent disease, weed and nematode suppression in many crops. Responds to good
fertility and management. Seeding rate 10-12 kg/ha


Nemat/Caliente 199

ARUGULA MUSTARD BLEND Arugula /mustard blend that was designed for high
biomass production and improved nematode surpression, especially in IPM programs
combined with chemical nematicides. Shows excellent disease and weed suppression
also. Seeding rate 7-8kg/ha
ISCI 99
NEMAT


What are the benefits of Caliente Mustard?

There are a number of benefits common to all crop types, soil types, climate and situation:
1. Improvements to soil structure, fertility and biodiversity from the green manure effect
2. Provides a good source of nutrition to following crops, recycling nutrients like nitrogen
3. Encourages improved root systems and penetration (of following crop)
4. Measurable yield increases in following crops
5. Weed suppression, mainly of soft seeded annuals, most beneficial to crops following soon after Cali-
ente Mustard incorporation



Benefits to potato and root crops:

1. Suppression of a range of soil-borne diseases, including Verticillium wilt, Rhizoctonia spp., Pythium
spp., Fusarium spp., and Sclerotinia spp.
2.Suppression of a range of nematodes (eelworms) including some cyst, root knot and free living spe-
cies. Trials are ongoing to determine the effectiveness of Caliente Mustard against Potato Cyst
Nematode (eelworm) specifically
3. May improve skin finish
4. May deter wireworm populations



Benefits to vegetable and salad crops:

1. Suppression of a range of soil-borne diseases including Pythium spp., Sclerotinia spp., Fusarium
spp., Rhizoctonia spp., and others
2. Suppression of a range of nematode species
3. Offers significant reduction in weeding costs, in terms of subsequent herbicide applications, and/or
labour for hand/mechanical weeding. This is a particularly important benefit for organic systems



Contacts: Seed & Field Services Office Ph: (09) 237-1153
Andrew Culley Ph: 021-764-596
Grant Wilson Ph: 021-934-201
Phil Picot Ph: 021-986-205