Sunn Hemp's vigorous growth rate and nitrogen fixing capabilities make it an attractive cover crop to build residue, sequester nitrogen, suppress weeds and improve soil health. When planted by itself it regularly produces 2.5tons of biomass and 120 lbs N/acre. Sunn hemp is a tropical plant and requires a warm soil temperatures germination and when fall planted it needs at least 45 days to accumulate growth before the first frost.
| Basic Info | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maturity (Days) | Seeds/lb | C/N at Maturity | Growth Habit | Root Type/Depth | Cold Kill (F) | Dry Matter Potential(Tons/acre) |
| 150 | 15000 | Low | Upright | Deep Taproot | 32 | 3 - 5 |
| Use and Characteristics | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N Fix Potential | Lasting Residue | Palatability | Hay Harvest | Regrowth | Deep Compaction | Surface Compaction | Weed Suppression | Crimp Kill |
| 100 - 180 | Very Good | Fair | Fair | Good | Excellent | Very Good | Fair | Easy |
| Planting | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Plant Depth | Min Germ Temp(F) | Drilled Seed Rate (lbs/acre) | Broadcast Seed Rate (lb/acre) |
| 3/4 - 1" | 65 | 18 - 20 | 25 - 30 |
| Tolerance | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat | Drought | Shade | Wet Soil | Low Fertility | Low pH Soil | High pH Salinity | High pH Calcareous |
| Excellent | Very Good | Poor | Fair | Good | Good | Fair | Fair |