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05/03/2010 10:42:33
Spring oilseed rape provides a good late-drilling option
Spring oilseed rape could provide a valuable option for farmers who may not normally grow the crop but have been forced to change their plans this season due to the prolonged cold, wet winter, according to Les Daubney, Oilseeds Manager for Limagrain UK.
With field work having been impossible on farms throughout the UK for many weeks, spring cropping options are now becoming more limited. Spring oilseed rape could provide an attractive option because it can be sown up until mid- April, requires a relatively low level of inputs, can be combined early without the need for a desiccant, and stored alongside winter varieties.
The crop’s major benefit, however, is in helping to control blackgrass, an increasing and ever-more-costly problem on many farms. The short time between harvesting the previous crop of cereals and sowing winter oilseed rape means that growers are reliant on agrochemicals to control blackgrass, whereas growing spring oilseed rape provides an opportunity to use a combination of chemical and cultural methods over a much longer period, from harvest through until April.
The vigour of Delight, a spring-sown hybrid variety on the HGCA Descriptive List, provides a considerable advantage in achieving good establishment, particularly during a difficult season such as 2009. Being a hybrid, it can be sown into seedbeds at temperatures up to 2C lower than would be recommended for a conventional variety, providing a two weeks advantage, while faster establishment helps it to out-compete weeds early in the season.
Disease is generally not a problem with spring oilseed rape and the crop’s nitrogen requirements coincides with the release of soil nitrogen during May and June, so it typically requires about half the amount required by a winter-sown crop. Spring oilseed rape also requires less P and K and is very responsive to sulphur, which can be applied with nitrogen.
With field work having been impossible on farms throughout the UK for many weeks, spring cropping options are now becoming more limited. Spring oilseed rape could provide an attractive option because it can be sown up until mid- April, requires a relatively low level of inputs, can be combined early without the need for a desiccant, and stored alongside winter varieties.
The crop’s major benefit, however, is in helping to control blackgrass, an increasing and ever-more-costly problem on many farms. The short time between harvesting the previous crop of cereals and sowing winter oilseed rape means that growers are reliant on agrochemicals to control blackgrass, whereas growing spring oilseed rape provides an opportunity to use a combination of chemical and cultural methods over a much longer period, from harvest through until April.
The vigour of Delight, a spring-sown hybrid variety on the HGCA Descriptive List, provides a considerable advantage in achieving good establishment, particularly during a difficult season such as 2009. Being a hybrid, it can be sown into seedbeds at temperatures up to 2C lower than would be recommended for a conventional variety, providing a two weeks advantage, while faster establishment helps it to out-compete weeds early in the season.
Disease is generally not a problem with spring oilseed rape and the crop’s nitrogen requirements coincides with the release of soil nitrogen during May and June, so it typically requires about half the amount required by a winter-sown crop. Spring oilseed rape also requires less P and K and is very responsive to sulphur, which can be applied with nitrogen.
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