Integrated Crop Knowledge

As a result of providing sugar beet, maize, cereals as well as oilseed rapes, KWS UK maintains that it is able to provide growers with varieties and crop husbandry advice across the rotation.

While there is no doubting the benefits of rape as a break in the cereal rotation, the key to a successful rape crop is good establishment.

For example, the ability of rape seed to cope under early stress – especially poor moisture availability – is critical.

This is why KWS UK is working with a number of industry partners and the research community to examine the genetic variation in seed viability under stress.

“While earlier maturing wheats such as Cordiale allow more time to prepare a good rape seedbed, and the chance to drill early and avoid losing the little moisture that is available it is important to use the right variety,” says Peter Werner.

“Drilling too early for some varieties can increase the disease burden. Conversely, drilling late may compromise establishment prior to the winter of the slower growing types. Here again, we are examining the role of hybrids and the potential vigour they offer in stressed conditions.”