Oilseed rape

 

Rapeseed for oil and energy

The oilseed rape crop is of enormous importance for many agricultural producers in the EU. Currently the demand for oilseed rape exceeds the supply and for this reason, stable producer prices are probable. Since rapeseed oil is a highly nutritious cooking oil, demand on the world market is rapidly increasing. Large volumes are required for processing oil into biofuels as a renewable energy source and this had recently added to the demand for the crop.

 

Oilseed rape has great cultural benefits also; the introduction of a combinable broad-leaved crop to break the continuous cycle of cereal growing can increase yields of winter wheat by upto 10%, furthermore a break in the rotation allows pest and disease pressure to be managed more effecticvely. Oilseed rape is a crop which is also particularly suited to minimum tillage farming which represent savings to the grower in time, energy and costs.

Return to Top

 

Oilseed rape requires Potassium

Rape seed has specific nutrient requirements and, for an optimum yield, it requires besides nitrogen and phosphate especially potassium. 

• In spring, at the start of the growing season, large amounts of potassium are taken up in a short period of time since potassium uptake precedes biomass production.
• When the canopy is fully developed, a crop of rapeseed can contain up to 400 kg K2O ha^-1.
• Depending on the development of the plant, by the beginning of winter 100 kg K2O ha^-1 may have already been taken up.
• A good supply of potassium increases the frost resistance of the crop and, therefore, results in fewer losses during harsh winters.
• Plants are more able to cope with drought stress much more efficiently because of their optimized water balance.
• The synthesis of oil is aided by the activation of enzyme metabolism.

Return to Top

 

Magnesium und Sulphur for a high oil content

Magnesium 

• The majority of magnesium required is taken up before pod development.
• The magnesium requirement of an oilseed rape crop is approximately 60 kg MgO ha^-1.
• Following a severe winter with a large loss of foliage, a good supply of magnesium is important for the development of new leaves.
• The improved assimilation by the plant, especially by the pods has a positive effect on the synthesis of oil and overall yield.

 

Sulphur

• With a requirement of 50-70 kg S ha^-1, rapeseed has a very large sulphur demand.
• An optimum supply of sulphur results in a more efficient utilization of nitrogen and, therefore, has a positive effect on yield.
• Oil content is positively affected as sulphur is directly involved in the synthesis of fatty acids.
• Minor temporary sulphur deficiency may be controlled until late budding by means of foliar applications of ESPO products without any yield loss. However, more prolonged deficiency can result in yield losses of up to 75%.
• The uptake of sulphur in oilseed rape occurs in conjunction with magnesium and, therefore, a combined application of both nutrients is recommended.
• Organic fertilisers and manures are generally insignificant sources of sulphur for this demanding crop. 

 

Return to Top

 

Boron fertilisation – standard practice in oilseed rape

• OSR belongs to the group of boron requiring crop plants.
• During the growing season an OSR crop can take up approximately 350–450 g boron ha^-1.
• Swollen lower parts of stems, compressed growth, development of root cavities, reduced growth of secondary side roots, as well as poor pod set post flowering are possible effects of an insufficient supply of boron which will adversely affect yield.
• Therefore for OSR growing areas it is advisable to include boron content in soil analyses.
• Boron content of lighter soils should not be lower than 0.2-0.5mg boron per kg soil and for heavy soils no less than 0.25-1.2 mg boron per kg soil using CAT-analysis.

 

Return to Top

 

Attention to provision of manganese on high organic matter soils

• Shortages in the supply of manganese occur predominately on soils with high organic matter content and /or high pH values or after applications of lime
• Manganese, like magnesium, affects synthesis of chloro-phyll and photosynthesis. This ensures a high assimilation rate and affects yield positively.
• The increased growth of secondary side roots improves the uptake of nutrients from the soil.
• Only a well supplied crop can guarantee a high output potential.
• To avoid competition for nutrients, a foliage application of manganese should always be combined with an application of magnesium.

Return to Top

 

Fertiliser recommendations

Recommendations for soil applications

• Approx. 400-600 kg ha-1 Korn-Kali for potassium requirements and, at the same time the magnesium and sulphur requirements.

   

  Korn-Kali^®

• Approx. 200-300 kg ha-1 Patentkali for sulphur and magnesium requirements in spring and at the same time supplementing potassium

   

  Patentkali^®

• Approx. 200-300 kg ha-1 ESTA Kieserite for sulphur and magnesium requirements, 300-400 kg ha-1 for severe sulphur and magnesium deficiencies.

   

  ESTA^® Kieserit gran.

 

Recommendations for foliar applications

• 20-25 kg ha-1 EPSO Top or EPSO Microtop as a 5% concentration for periods of high demand or for the con-trol of latent deficiency of magnesium and sulphur, as well as for deficiency of trace minerals. Several split ap-plications should be given between rosette and flowering stage.

   

  EPSO Top^®

   

  EPSO Microtop^®