Oilseed rape is an oilseed plant belonging to the Brassicaceae family. There are two botanical forms of cultivated oilseed rape: winter and spring. The cultivation of spring varieties dominates in Australia, Northern USA and Canada – where the name Canola comes from. Canola brand name was a condensation of “Can” from Canada and “OLA” meaning “Oil, low acid”, but is now a generic term for edible varieties of oilseed rape in North America and Australia.
Spring oilseed rape has a large yielding potential. However, obtaining a high yield significantly depends on environmental factors. Spring oilseed rape is very sensitive to water shortage in soil, especially during the formation of flower buds, flowering and seed ripening. Due to the weaker root system and shorter vegetation period, it also has higher soil fertility requirements compared to winter oilseed rape.
Spring oilseed rape, similarly to winter oilseed rape, requires intensive foliar nutrition in addition to proper soil fertilization.
The period from seed germination to flowering – this is the time of intensive biomass growth.
Of the nutrients, nitrogen is fundamental to plant development. Properly growing oilseed rape accumulates most of nitrogen in leaves and stems until the beginning of flowering.
In addition to soil fertilization, it is recommended in this period of intensive plant development to supply plants with nitrogen and other nutrients that affect the proper nitrogen management of plants – phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, and microelements (PLONVIT® OPTY, magnesium sulphate, PLONVIT® SULVIT, PLONVIT® OIL CROPS).
Among the micronutrients during this period, boron (MIKROVIT® BORON TURBO or MIKROVIT ®BORON or MIKROVIT® BORON PLUS and manganese (AMINO ULTRA® Mn-22 or MIKROCHELAT™ Mn-13 or MIKROVIT® MANGANESE) are particularly important.
Foliar application of both, TYTANIT® and OPTYSIL® has a very positive effect on plant growth and development.
Formation of pods and seeds – this is the time when foliar fertilization of plants with potassium is very important (PLONVIT® KALI or PLONVIT® KALPRIM or PLONVIT® UNI PK 10:18). Potassium regulates water management of plants – increases drought resistance and intensifies the accumulation of storage components in seeds (increased oil content and TSW).
It is also very important to provide during this period comprehensive micronutrients necessary for the proper development of pods and seeds – PLONVIT® OIL CROPS.
Seed ripening – before harvest
When harvesting rapeseed, a significant portion of the crop can be lost due to self-spreading seeds. This phenomenon, caused by uneven maturation of pods, is also the reason for the mass appearance of self-seeded seeds in subsequent crops.
STRETCH™ – adjuvant for strengthening siliques at the harvest maturity phase – is used to reduce the negative effects of this phenomenon.
The good condition of plants throughout the growing season determines the oilseed rape yield. Even short-term deficiency of nutrient may have a negative impact on plant growth and yield. Therefore it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the plants needs at every stage of their development. INTERMAG’s wide range of products, allows you to develop your own individual foliar fertilization and biostimulation program, considering local soil conditions, crop intensity, stage of plant development and availability of various products.
All the activities discussed have a significant impact on the yield increase and its quality parameters.
