Key Growth Stages of Oilseed Rape

Stage 1: Germination and emergence

• Sow between two to four centimetres deep, depending on the moisture conditions of the year. 
• Aim to seed when there will be a good level of moisture in the soil to facilitate germination.
• Use a precision single-seed drill for better emergence in autumn.

Targets for oilseed rape success:

• Fast, even germination – aim for the field to reach the eight-leaf stage before it enters the vegetative rest stage.  
• Good tap-root development – ideally 10 to 15 centimetres long.  
• Field plant density is 25 to 35 plants/m2.  
• Rosette stage flattened to the ground before the beginning of winter. 
• In the spring, evaluate winter survival – WOSR has a high capacity to fill in available space.

Stage 2: Autumn growth

• You want plants to reach the four-leaf stage as quickly as possible, in order to limit the impact of autumn pests.
• Aim for the plant to reach at least the eight-leaf stage before entering vegetative rest. 
• Control the risk of elongation. 
• Monitor fields for any potential nitrogen deficiency.

Stage 3: Flowering

• Flowering lasts between three and seven weeks, depending on the weather conditions of the year.
• During this period, the crop is susceptible to Sclerotinia disease.
• The pod set and number of pods is determined during this period. 

Stage 4: Maturation

• After flowering, the pod-filling seed development begins. 
• Oil content is determined up to 60 days after the start of flowering. 
• Harvest begins at a standard moisture level of 9%.