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Sowing Oilseed Rape Successfully
Get your oilseed rape crop off to a great start
Sowing oilseed rape
Winter oilseed rape (WOSR) is a plant with a tap root system, which requires specific management from sowing to harvest to achieve good yields. This begins at sowing. where seeding depth and placement prove essential to plant health and a uniform plant stand.
Targets for WOSR success
The key to good yields for your oilseed rape crop starts with sowing. The seeding depth and placement are key to plant health and a uniform plant stand.
- Fast, even germination – aim to have the field at the eight-leaf stage before it enters the vegetative rest stage
- Good tap-root development – ideally 10 to 15 centimetres long
- Field plant density – preferably 25 to 35 plants/m2
- Rosette stage flattened to the ground – this should occur before the beginning of winter
- In the spring, evaluate winter survival – WOSR has a high capacity to fill in available space
Sowing date
There is no such thing as a perfect sowing date for WOSR. It’s about striking a balance between strong plant development before winter and avoiding dry conditions
- If possible, sow before rainfall to take advantage of soil humidity
- Sowing too early can impair crop establishment (in dry conditions)
- Sowing too late can lead to insufficient plant development before winter and susceptibility to pests
Sowing density
It’s important to adapt your sowing density to the conditions in your field.
- Aim for a plant stand of between 20-40 plants/m2 after winter. This will mean sowing at a rate of between 30-60 plants/m2
- Sow at a depth of two to four centimetres, depending on how moist the soil is
- Adjust your seeding density to your row spacing and seeding equipment (check the table below)
Define the density based on the spacing between the rows
| Spacing between row | Sowing density (seeds/m2) according the risk of loss at emergence (Low/High) |
|---|---|
| Cereal seed drill | 45/60 |
| 40 cm (single-seeded) | 35/50 |
| 60 cm (single-seeded) | 30/45 |
| 80 cm (single-seeded) | 30/40 |
Seeding tips
- Respect the proper oilseed crop rotation – WOSR should only be sown every third year
- Ensure your seeding equipment is properly calibrated for the size of the seed
- Seed at a slow to moderate speed (max 7km/hr) – higher speeds can cause skips and uneven planting depths
- Choose fields with good soil structure – WOSR needs a good seedbed for proper rooting
- Sow in moist, warm soils – avoid late tillage before sowing
More about oilseed rape
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