Horseradish Production in Illinois

Abstract

<jats:p>Horseradish (<jats:italic>Armoracia rusticana</jats:italic>) is a hardy perennial that is grown for its white, fleshy, and pungent roots. Illinois leads the United States in production of horseradish, with ≈1500 acres and an annual farm-gate value of about $10 million, with most processed and added as an ingredient to various commercially produced condiments. Horseradish in Illinois is primarily grown in the Mississippi River Valley region adjacent to St. Louis due to the well-drained, deep friable, high organic matter, moist loam soils that are present in this area. Most of the production is located in Madison and St. Claire counties. This region of southwestern Illinois has been producing horseradish commercially for over 150 years. This review provides an overview of the basics of horseradish production in Illinois, including propagation, cultivars, planting, cultivation, fertilization, pest management, harvest, grading, storage, and marketing. Horseradish is one of the most important specialty crops grown in Illinois, and current and future production concerns are also discussed.</jats:p>

Control of Volunteer Horseradish and Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) with Dicamba and Glyphosate

“…In an annual production system, root segments are planted in the soil and grow into an enlarged primary root with smaller secondary roots after 6 mo of growth. Root segments are typically planted in April to May, with enlarged primary roots harvested in late autumn (Shehata et al 2009; Walters and Wahle 2010). Horseradish roots will often grow deeper than 4.3 m, although most of the horizontal growth is contained within a 0.5-m radius of the plant (Walters and Wahle 2010).…”

“…Root segments are typically planted in April to May, with enlarged primary roots harvested in late autumn (Shehata et al 2009; Walters and Wahle 2010). Horseradish roots will often grow deeper than 4.3 m, although most of the horizontal growth is contained within a 0.5-m radius of the plant (Walters and Wahle 2010). Because horseradish has an extensive rooting depth, harvesting the entire root is nearly impossible, and various sizes of root segments remain in the soil after harvest (Johanning et al 2016).…”

“…The presence of volunteer crop plants negates the many beneficial aspects of crop rotation, such as reduction of disease and insect pressure (Boydston 2001). Volunteer horseradish plants act as host for several pathogenic organisms (e.g., Verticillium dahliae , V. longisporum , and Fusarium solani ) that cause internal root discoloration, which is a major problem in Illinois horseradish production (Babadoost 2006; Rundle et al 2007; Walters 2009). Therefore, volunteer horseradish control methods need to be developed to minimize regrowth.…”

“…Volunteer horseradish infestations are also difficult to control in soybean production, causing potential problems with crop quality or potential rotational restrictions due to herbicide carryover concerns (Johanning et al 2016; Rundle et al 2007; Wiedau 2017). Volunteer horseradish presence, as mentioned earlier, negates the effects of crop rotation, which is essential to minimize pathogens and insects for future horseradish crops (Rundle et al 2007; Walters and Wahle 2010). Field cultural practices, such as tillage, have shown to result in minimal volunteer horseradish reduction.…”

Pollination and sterility in horseradish

“…). This plant is propagated exclusively through vegetative (clonal) procedures for commercial production (Sampliner and Miller , Walters and Wahle ), and although horseradish plants will produce copious amounts of flowers, it seldom produces viable seed (Weber , Stokes , Winiarczyk et al. ).…”