DSV, one of Europes leading Oilseedrape Breeding companies carries out besides pure variety testing trials also production technology trials for different purposes. Late Drilling Trials are a key element of this strategy and take place now for several years already.
One trend from all trials in the last years could be seen also in 2024: For every variety (14 varieties) and in every location (3 for yield in 2024) the later sowing date has brought additional yields of Oilseedrape. Together with the trend of a longer growing periode in autumn and in addition more vigorous varieties, like PNN varieties with a better performance in the first 45 days after emergence, also the sowing date for Oilseedrape can be adapted to prolonged periode.
In DSVs late sowing trials the later sowing date is approximately two weeks after the standard (regional) sowing date.
In many regions of western, central and southern Europe, especially with a longer autumn periode, this later sowing date helps already to decrease stress levels of young Oilseedrape Plants. ADAS has published already in 2022 data that September Sowing dates decreased a lot the larvae level per plant. For diseases like Clubroot, Phoma and Verticillium also the temperature dependencies in autumn are known already for years. These varieties also don`t tend to overgrow before winter and a later sowing date would also help to decrease blackgrass pressures in Oilseedrape.
Together with partly frustrating yields on Farm level, we need to think oilseedrape new and we also need to try new growing possibilities, that new genetic delivers. In this context is is good to see that new RL candidate varieties like COGNAC or DOMPTEUR with a generally strong stem health, but early to medium maturity also showed a very good behaviour in DSVs late sowing trials.
