Radix Hybrid bulbosa (RHb)
Transforming Agriculture With RHb
RHb are hybrid varieties created by Radix Evergreen as a permanent ground cover and are the catalyst to transform millions of acres to no-till production. RHb eliminates the need for annual tillage, reducing costs as well as soil and nutrient loss. RHb helps to ensure yields during periods of drought and provides the ability to convert acreage to carbon storage. Join us in our mission to improve agriculture for everyone.
Public, private, and Commercial Scale research indicate that RHb is emerging as the only viable and scaleable Permanent Ground Cover for use in Corn, Soybean, Orchard, and Vineyard production. Research has also demonstrated that RHb does not create yield drag on cash crops, but instead retains soil moisture and possibly increases yields during periods of drought. There simply isn't anything else like it.
RHb is an agricultural technology that benefits farmers, the agricultural industry, and the environment. Our goal is to provide farmers with cost effective and sustainable solutions for their land that are easy to use and provide tangible results.
RHb products are designed to provide neutral to beneficial effects on yield, reduce soil erosion and water use, and enable farmers to access carbon banks. With our revolutionary technology, we are helping to create a better future for the agricultural industry.
Vineyard & Orchard Cover
RHb Vineyard and Orchard Cover is a permanent, perennial ground cover for vineyards, orchards, and fruit crops. RHb removes the need for tillage, increasing moisture retention, carbon capture, soil stabilization and water percolation.
RHb germinates quickly in the fall and grows throughout the winter and early spring. While vines and trees are dormant, RHb produces a low growing ground cover that prevents erosion, captures carbon, suppresses weeds, and improves water percolation.
As vines and trees become active in mid to late spring, RHb goes completely dormant based on day length - even in wet conditions. The RHb root mass and bulb population form a barrier in the soil profile that retains moisture. RHb does not require water, sunlight, or mowing during dormancy and does not compete with the vines or trees as they produce the cash crop.
Each fall, new growth reemerges from the underground bulbs. RHb ground cover thickens and increases in density each year as the bulbs strengthen and proliferate underground during every growing season.
- RHb produces a barrier in the soil profile trapping and retaining moisture through the summer months, allowing the fruit or nut crop access to more water when needed most.
- RHb reduces costs by removing the need to reseed and manage an annual or bi-annual cover crop, removes the need for summer tillage, and significantly reduces mowing frequency.
- RHb improves soil health and resiliency in vineyards but does not compete for water and nutrients when the vines or trees are actively growing.
- RHb improves the carbon sequestration of vineyards and orchards by completely removing the need for tillage in drive rows and orchard floors.
Vineyard & Orchard Seeding
The best practice for seeding RHb products for a perennial ground cover is to plant into a well-prepared (top 2 inches loosened but compact) soil bed in September thru November. Spread your RHb seed bulblets as evenly as possible with a Brillion-type seeder for best seed-to-soil contact; or a broadcast spreader, followed by a drag or roller.
Seed 150 - 200 lbs per Acre at 1/4 inch depth. Any deeper seeding will reduce establishment. Add 65 lbs. N per Acre of a time-released fertilizer blend such as 20-15-15. Your RHb will germinate when night temperatures drop to around 50, and there is adequate moisture. It will produce a low growing carpet of green. In the spring (mid-March to mid-April it will go comprehensively dormant with longer day length and warmer temperatures. It will stay dormant all summer and will only re-emerge around the fall equinox when cooler temperatures, shorter day lengths, and adequate moisture are available.
To maintain a healthy stand of RHb for years to come:
- Mow your stand in the spring at a height of 1inch before volunteer weeds have gone to seed. If there are many weeds competing in the establishment year, you may need to mow more frequently during the winter. In subsequent years it may only need to be mowed once a year, focusing mainly in the spring after the seed heads have emerged but before the RHb goes dormant (mid-late March).
- For best long-term performance, roll the seeded drive rows or understory once every mid-winter. Fertilize every fall after re-emergence of your RHb for strong, healthy re-emergence. Use time-released fertilizer such as 20-15-15 at the rate of 22 pounds per Acre
- Generally in February, if there are competing broadleaf weeds they can be sprayed out while the vines and trees are dormant in winter. If there are tall grass weeds they can be mowed during the winter at 1 inch height until they go dormant or die.
Winter Turfgrass Overseeding
Winter overseeding with RHb products into dormant or transitioning bermudagrass will give you a perennial, cool-season turf stand. Ryegrasses have historically been the primary winter overseeding species, with the inconvenience of required re-seeding every fall and failure to fully transition out in the spring. Using RHb as your winter overseeder one time may result in minimal or no further overseeding needed for many years. RHb generates bulbs underground that go to sleep in the spring (similar to flower bulbs). These bulbs lie dormant in and among the active Bermuda grass roots during the warm season. In the fall, with cool temperatures, proper moisture, and shorter day lengths these bulbs re-emerge from their deep slumber. They will re-establish every winter and slowly grow more underground bulbs that naturally thicken your stand. This product is perfect for exclusive winter turf. You can leave it all up to the natural rainfall, without watering, in many places.
The best practice for overseeding RHb into bermudagrass for your winter lawn is to wait until October (or when night temperatures drop to around 50). Then mow the Bermuda grass down as short as possible to open up the stand and allow better seed-to-soil contact. You may also de-thatch to further improve contact with soil. Spread your RHb seed bulblets as evenly as possible. Plant 10-12 pounds of RHb seed bulblets per 1,000 square feet area. Add ½ pound Nitrogen per 1,000 square feet area of a complete fertilizer blend such as 10-10-10.
- Add 1/4 inch layer of any type mulch on top of the seeds. This helps hold moisture for better germination; it helps hold seeds in original place if excess rain comes during establishment; and reduces loss of seeds to birds. Do not mulch cover any deeper than 1/4 inch it will slow establishment.
- If you are watering it up, keep the seed level moist! Watering as needed each time, for the first 3 weeks to allow proper germination and establishment is recommended. After then, reduce the frequency of watering while increasing the watering time of each application for deeper, stronger roots. By mid-winter, adjust watering schedule lower, if evaporation and natural rainfall levels allow.
Maintain a healthy stand of RHb throughout the winter by scheduled fertilizations once a month. Use a balanced mix such as 10-10-10 at the rate of 1/2 pound Nitrogen per 1,000 square feet area. Keep mowing height at 1/2 - 2 inches. During the warm season when your RHb is dormant and your Bermuda grass is active, DO NOT overwater or over fertilize your Bermuda grass stand; use deeper, infrequent waterings. When the next October-November arrives, mow low (1 inch or less) or de-thatch your Bermuda grass, and irrigate your RHb stand out of dormancy if it has not already received ample rainwater to re-emerge.
Latest News:
- Newest Research Reveals RHb Benefits for Corn Production - Patrick Galland authors new research from Iowa State University compiling benefits of RHb in corn production: "The Effects of Perennial Groundcover on Soil-Water and Nutrient Dynamics in Maize Intercropping Systems." Iowa State
- Research from UC Davis Provides a Peek at RHb Benefits for Vineyard Production - UC Davis presents to the American Society for Horticultural Science: "Cover Crops and Tillage Effects on Grapevine Physiology." UC Davis
- Data From from Iowa State University on Corn Yield - RHb Increase Corn Height & Yield Under Drought: Iowa State University