A specialized variety of daikon radish grown as a biological soil aerator rather than a food crop. The aggressive taproot drives deep into hardpan layers, creating large vertical channels. When the plant winter-kills and rots, it leaves behind open pores for water infiltration and releases scavenged nutrients back into the topsoil for the next cash crop.
Heard on the job
We drilled tillage radish into the corn stubble to punch through that plow pan before spring planting.
Insider tip
The rotting tubers emit a strong sulfur smell in early spring, which neighbors often mistake for a natural gas leak.
Also heard as
- fodder radish
- radish ripper
- biodrill