Rapeseed – Lima Europe

Rapeseed (Brassica napus), also known as rape, oilseed rape belongs to the family Brassicaceae. The plant has a deep and long root, the stem is 1.5 m high approximately and the flowers are small, yellow and are grouped in terminal clusters. It is consumed in China and Southern Africa as a vegetable but is cultivated mainly for its oil-rich seed, the third-largest source of vegetable oil in the world. Rapeseed is grown for the production of animal feeds, edible vegetable oils, and there are also non-food uses, such as the industrial oils market, dominated by biodiesel, but also including lubricant and surfactant production. Biodiesel: this oil is the preferred oil stock for biodiesel production in most of Europe, accounting for about 80% of the feedstock. It can be sown in Spring and Autumn.

Climate: It does not tolerate temperatures below -2 or -3 ºC from germination to rosette stage. In this stage, it can manage up to -15 ºC (even this cold promotes the root development). Low temperatures and short days delay its maturation.

Soil: It performs well under a wide range of soil conditions but is not very drought tolerant. The clay-loam soils are the best soils for growing rapeseed. Also, it requires deep and well-drained soils.

pH: 5.5-7

Nutritional requirements

Oilseed rape nutritional requirements. Source: Merrien et al., 1988
	N	P2O5	K2O	CaO	MgO	SO3
	kg/ha. Yield: 3.5 t/ha
Central Europe	200-300	90-130	350-450	220	50	80
	kg/ha. Yield: 3 t/ha
USA	192	48	80		79

Fertigation recommendations

It is one of the most demanding crop in terms of the soil nutrient supply requirements. In the temperate climate conditions, winter varieties are the most popular for the production of Oilseed rapeseed. For winter varieties sufficient quantities of nutrients must be available in autumn because the crop must produce about 2-4 t/ha of dry matter by winter in order to achieve high seed yields. The table below shows general recommendations as the kg of fertilizers required will depend on climate, varieties, soil, residues, etc. The nitrogen supply of oilseed rape is of central importance to ensure high yields. In addition, oilseed rape is a plant with an especially high sulphur requirement and is particularly sensitive to S deficiency.

Oilseed rape fertilizer recommendations (kg/ha)
N	P2O5	K2O	MgO	SO3
180-220	40-75	40-200	30-50	80

Foliar fertilizers

Foliar fertilization is the fastest and most effective method to supplement and enrich plant nutrition and to correct nutritional deficiencies when needed. This contributes significantly to higher and better quality productions.

Sulphur, Boron, Manganese and Magnesium are also applied via foliar. Lima Europe has a wide range of foliar fertilizers and special products for foliar application.

To verify the safe rate under local conditions, it is advisable to spray recommended rate on a few plants. After 3-4 days check the tested plants for scorching symptoms.

Fertilizer guide

Nutritional requirements

Fertigation recommendations

Foliar fertilizers

Oilseed rape fertilizer program