Research
Is there scientific research proving that Mighty Mustard® really works?
Yes. The University of Idaho has conducted extensive research, found here: http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/brassica/
Other university research includes:
Michigan State University
http://mccc.msu.edu/meetings/2011/Presentations/Durling_Gieske_Ackroyd_2011_MCCC.pdf
Kentucky State University
http://organic.kysu.edu/biofumigation3.shtml
http://organic.kysu.edu/Geier-KAS2009-Biofumigation.pdf
http://organic.kysu.edu/SolarizationBiofumigation.pdf
http://organic.kysu.edu/BomfordKAS2008.pdf
Washington State University
For general information about the effectiveness of mustard green manures, please visit the following Washington State University Web sites:
http://grant-adams.wsu.edu/agriculture/covercrops/green_manures/index.htm
http://www.grant-adams.wsu.edu/agriculture/covercrops/pubs/eb1952e.pdf
Results from real farms
From organic gardens in the Northwest, to a Biodynamic farm in Minnesota and organic high tunnels in Kentucky, growers are finding great success with Mighty Mustard®. Read experienced growers’ success stories.
Searching for answers
Understanding Mighty Mustard’s® full potential as a biofumigant is an ongoing process. As one university researcher shared with us, “There’s a lot that we still don’t know.”
New & exciting research underway
Innovative researchers throughout the country are putting Mighty Mustard® to the test. We'll keep you posted on the following research projects:
- Growing Pacific Gold as a trap crop for the crucifer flea beetle
- Rehabilitating abandoned parking lots in Baltimore, MD to transform fallow dirt into healthy soil for community gardens. For more information visit http://hamiltoncropcircle.blogspot.com/
- Studying Mighty Mustard’s® role in orchard floor management in northern Michigan
- Incorporating Mighty Mustard® into a no-till, sustainable system at The Rodale Institute
The nature of science
Researchers from around the country have conducted studies focused on Mighty Mustard’s® various biofumigation properties. While the mustards were effective in lab studies, some researchers weren’t able to duplicate the results in the field. For example, researchers at Kentucky State University and the University of California successfully reduced sclerotinia using isolated concentrations of IdaGold and Pacific Gold’s glucosinolates in lab experiments, but were unable to duplicate the results with Mighty Mustard® cover crops grown in outdoor test plots. Why? Researchers believe the concentrations of glucosinolates in the lab tests were far higher than those typically found in an average Mighty Mustard® cover crop.
Are you a researcher?
If you would like to incorporate Mighty Mustard® into your research project, please call Kim Davidson at (509) 487-0755 or send an e-mail to info@mightymustard.com
"Replenish your soil"
"I am a great advocate for crop rotation and the importance of replenishing the soil with cover crops whenever possible."
"Mustard is an excellent cover crop/green manure because it is a fast germinating seed."
- Diane Green, Greentree Naturals
Sandpoint, Idaho