Pulses weekly report

Growers who have not got the area of oilseed rape drilled that they had originally planned can take comfort in the fact that pulses offer a very positive alternative:

Drilling oilseed rape at this time can mean:

> poor establishment through poor, wet, knobbly seed beds.

> Incessant pigeon attack on a slowly emerging crop.

> Immediate spraying requirement to safeguard small plants from high pressure phoma attack.

> higher and less efficient N requirement to boost growth.

So, growers should look at the pulse plus points this season:

WINTER BEANS

> can be ploughed into a less than perfect seedbed from October through to November, or drilled if conditions allow.

> unlike oilseed rape, beans require no N and generate a reserve of N for the following wheat crop.

> they are a most durable crop during inclement harvesting conditions.

PEAS OR SPRING BEANS

> give much needed time for the soil to recover from the punishing harvesting conditions.

> allow cheap destruction of autumn germinating grass weeds in cereal stubbles and another means of tackling resistance in these weed groups.

> help to alleviate build-up of rape diseases, such as stem canker, in short rape rotation situations.

> no requirement for nitrogen means less initial capital investment in these crops.

And with the volatility in all markets this season, spreading risk across a range of crop groups has to be an important consideration.