Oilseed Rape

Choice of variety is based on a comparison of agronomic characteristics designed to meet individual grower’s conditions, and still deliver the highest output. Within this choice new hybrid varieties are winning an increasing market share because of their adaptability. Trials currently demonstrate no yield advantage from hybrids over conventional varieties. But, in practice, hybrid’s indifference to nutrient, temperature and rainfall variation is providing growers with consistently high yields. Equally important is high oil content, because of the accompanying bonuses!

LIONESS, a conventional variety, is a sensible choice combining high yield with stiff straw, good resistance to lodging and, importantly, consistently high oil content. CASTILLE and ES ASTRID remain popular with growers as good all-rounders, the former perhaps more suited to the South of England, and the latter attractive to growers seeking a truly low-biomass variety. KALIF is another option with high yields, good disease resistance and high oil content.

FLASH is the highest yielding new hybrid with a good general profile. MENDEL, a restored hybrid variety, is important to consider as it has good resistance to club root, but is it not competitive in other situations.

NEXERA and SPLENDOR are two niche varieties grown for the specialised oil profile and human consumption markets. Breeding of varieties like these is in relatively early stages, and so it is necessary to weigh up their current inferior agronomic performance against their market premium!