Recommendations for Winter Rapeseed Sowing

To achieve high yields of winter rapeseed, a number of factors need to be taken into account, among which the timing of sowing plays a key role. They depend on regional climatic conditions, soil moisture levels and the potential of the selected hybrid. The right choice of sowing dates contributes to optimal plant development before the onset of winter cold.

Rapeseed Advices to the agronomist
Published by: 10.07.2019

Sowing dates and density of winter rape: recommendations for different regions of Ukraine

The optimal time for sowing winter rapeseed varies depending on the region, soil moisture and the choice of a suitable hybrid.

During the years of testing our hybrids in Ukraine, the best results were obtained at the following sowing dates and seeding densities:  

Sowing dates

Western and northern regions

Central regions

Eastern and southern regions

Planting density, thousand units/ha 1

Early

5-15 august

10- 20 august

15-25 august

350-450

Optimal

15-25 august

20-30 august

25 august– 5 september

450-650

Late

25-30 august

30 august– 5 september

5-15 september

650-700

Critically late

30 august - 5 september

5-10 september

15-30 september

до 850

1 Low values mean favorable growing conditions, high values mean unfavorable growing conditions

The following parameters should be taken into account when determining the seeding rate:

  • laboratory and field germination;
  • soil type;
  • timing and methods of sowing;
  • moisture availability at the time of sowing;
  • temperature and water conditions in the region.

Rapeseed plants should enter winter at the following developmental stage:  

  • 6-8 leaves;
  • root neck diameter - 8-10 mm;
  • plant height - 10-15 cm;
  • rosette diameter - 15-20 cm.

When the seed is thickened, the plants stretch out, which leads to the growth point being raised above the soil surface and, as a result, less protection during the frost period.  It should be remembered that at early sowing dates, it is possible to use growth regulators, which allows to influence the autumn development of crops and, accordingly, increase winter hardiness and yield of rapeseed. With late sowing, the plants will enter the winter in an underdeveloped state, which can lead to freezing of crops.