Mustard

Mustards, (Brassica spp.) are herbaceous annual plants in the family Brassicaceae grown for their seeds which are used as a spice. Mustard plants are thin herbaceous herbs with yellow flowers. The leaves of the plant are toothed, lobed, and occasionally have the larger terminal lobes. Plants can reach 16 cm (6.3 in) in length. The yellow flowers grow in spike like clusters of 2–12 flowers and individual flowers are 8 mm (0.3 in) in diameter. The seeds are red to brown in color and produced from each flower. Mustard can grow 1.2-2 m (4–6.6 ft) in height and as an annual plant, survives only one growing season. Mustard may also be referred to as mustard, brown mustard, red mustard, yellow mustard or wedlock and is believed to have originated in the temperate regions of Europe.


The leaves and shoots of the mustard plant are consumed as a vegetable in some countries. Mustard seed is incorporated into seasonings and dressings. Mustard may be grown as a cover crop in rotation with other vegetables.


Basic requirements Mustard grows very well in cool climates with short growing seasons, at temperatures as low as 4.4°C (40°F). Seedlings can tolerate some light frost but severe frost will kill the plants. The mustard plant can be grown in sandy, loamy or clay soils with a pH between 4.9 and 8.2 and prefers moist soil. The plant will tolerate partial shade. Propagation Mustards is propagated from seed and due to the small size of the seeds, should be planted in a well prepared seed bed which is firm and flat. Mustard seeds should be sown in Spring once soils have warmed to 4.4–7.2°C (40–45°F) and should be planted at a depth of 1.25–2.5 cm (0.5–1.0 in) at a density of 8–14 lbs of seeds per acre. The seed can be spread by broadcasting in the home garden or, in the case of commercial production, using a seed drill. Mustard generally matures in 80–85 days. General care and maintenance Weeds can cause huge losses in mustard cultivation as they quickly out compete seedlings and are difficult to eradicate once established. The best method of preventing weed growth in a mustard field is to plant seeds at the appropriate depth. Shallow planted seeds germinate rapidly, allowing the development of a uniform plant stand. Established plants are less susceptible to competition from weeds. soil should be tested to determine nutrient requirements prior to planting. Mustard will benefit from the addition of supplemental nitrogen and this is generally applied at a rate of 100–120 lb per acre. Harvesting Mustard is generally ready to harvest 80 to 85 days after planting. The crop should be harvested promptly to reduce losses to shattering. In commercially grown fields the recommended method of harvest is swathing. The plants should be cut just below the height of the lowest seed pods. In the home garden, mustard can be harvested by hand by cutting the plants. The seeds can then be recovered from the pods and dried for storage.


CABI Crop Protection Compendium. (2013). Brassica nigra (black mustard)datasheet. Available at: http://www.cabi.org/cpc/datasheet/10097. [Accessed 25 February 15]. Paid subscription required. Oplinger, E. S., Oelke, E. A., Putnam, D. H., Kelling, K. A., Kaminsid, A. R., Teynor, T. M., Doll, J. D. & Durgan, B. R. (1991). Mustard. In: Alternative Field Crops Manual. University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension. Available at: https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/mustard.html. [Accessed 25 February 15]. Free to access. Snapp, S., Date, K., Cichy, K. & O’Neil, K. (2006). Mustards – a Brassica cover crop for Michigan. Michigan State University, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. Available at: http://forage.msu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/E2956-Mustards-BrassicaCoverCrop-Snapp-etal-20061.pdf. [Accessed 25 February 15]. Free to access.