Rapeseed Cultivation

The farm’s name itself indicates that rapeseed is one of its priority crops. Of the total 3,069 hectares of arable land, 480 hectares are dedicated to rapeseed (430 hectares to winter varieties and 50 hectares to spring varieties).

Such a significant share in the crop rotation is primarily driven by the farm’s existing processing capacity for oilseeds. Secondly, OAO “Raps” is interested in producing high-quality, high-reproductivity seeds for subsequent sale to farms in the region, which ultimately increases the volume of raw materials available for processing. Furthermore, the livestock sector completely solves the problem of balancing feed rations with protein. Within crop production, given the high intensity of crop rotation, rapeseed cultivation helps address the issue of choosing a suitable preceding crop.

Cultivating winter rapeseed is profitable due to its higher yield potential compared to spring varieties. Under favorable conditions, winter rapeseed is highly competitive against weeds. In autumn, there are fewer harmful weeds like white pigweed (Amaranthus albus). While overwintering weeds such as jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) may be present, rapeseed can outgrow and suppress them. Weeds like sow thistle and chamomile can be controlled with herbicides. However, effective weed control is essential for high yields and cannot be achieved without herbicides.

The farm cultivates two varieties of winter rapeseed: ‘Progress’ and ‘Zorny’. A seed plot of the ‘Dubrava’ variety has been established. Propagation seeds are purchased from the RUE “Scientific and Practical Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for Arable Farming” in Zhodino. This allows other farms to obtain high-quality elite seeds. It is important to note that the final seed preparation includes calibration using an aerodynamic separator of the “Class” type.

In the crop rotation, winter rapeseed is typically planted after perennial grasses (which require treatment with glyphosate-based herbicides) or after spring wheat. After perennial grasses, primary tillage is performed with a Simba SL500 unit to a depth of 8 cm. After 8-10 days, ploughing with a moldboard plough is conducted. To minimize moisture loss, this is done using a КАС-З unit, moving diagonally to the direction of tillage. After harvesting spring wheat, with simultaneous straw chopping, КАС (Carbamide-Ammonium Sulfate) fertilizer is applied at a rate of 20-40 kg of active ingredient per hectare. For subsoil loosening, the Simba SL500 aggregate is used to a depth of 28-32 cm.

Chemical fertilizers are a major factor in forming the yield of cruciferous crops. To produce one ton of rapeseed, 50-60 kg of nitrogen, 25-35 kg of phosphorus (twice as much as for cereals), and 40-60 kg of potassium (3-5 times more) are required, along with calcium, magnesium, boron, and sulfur. Fertilizer rates are calculated using the balance method. Approximate application rates per hectare are: N – 180-200 kg a.i.; P₂O₅ – 70-90 kg a.i.; K₂O – 130-160 kg a.i. The use of organic fertilizers is also advisable.

Sowing winter rapeseed correctly is challenging, as seeds must be placed at a shallow depth of 1.5-2 cm, requiring a perfectly level field surface. Sowing is carried out in the first half of August at a seeding rate of 80-100 seeds per square meter (up to 5 kg per hectare) to a depth of 1.5 cm, using Amazone AD-300 seeders (for ‘Zorny’ and ‘Progress’ varieties) with обязательным прилипателем (obligatory treatment with a sticking agent). Since various machinery will pass through the fields during the growing season, it is crucial to establish a technology track gauge for crop protection, even fertilizer distribution, cost savings, and minimizing stem damage from machinery passes.

In spring, after assessing crop condition following winter, nitrogen top-dressing is planned based on the state of the crops and weather conditions. The first application of КАС is made during the resumption of vegetation at a rate of 75-90 kg a.i./ha. The second nitrogen top-dressing, using urea at 40-60 kg a.i./ha, is applied during the stem elongation phase. If there is a sulfur deficiency in the soil, ammonium sulfate is applied at 100 kg/ha (actual weight).

A third nitrogen fertilization is carried out at the beginning of flowering using ammonium nitrate at 80-120 kg/ha (actual weight) to improve seed quality.

Chemical weeding in spring is performed if grassy weeds are present. At the beginning of budding, crops are treated with insecticides, micronutrients, and growth regulators. After 8-10 days (late bud stage, growth stage 59), a second treatment with insecticides and micronutrients is conducted.

The most dangerous diseases for rapeseed are Alternaria, white rot (Sclerotinia), blackleg, downy mildew, surface necrosis, and powdery mildew. Less common are white rust, gray mold, cylindrosporiosis, white spot, fusarium wilt, and others. The only effective control measure against these diseases is the application of proven fungicides during the flowering period. The best results are achieved when applied from early to mid-flowering.

One highly effective fungicide is “Pictor”. This is a two-component, third-generation systemic fungicide active against pathogens such as Alternaria and Sclerotinia. It has both preventive and curative effects against these diseases and also exhibits a physiological growth-regulating effect due to its strobilurin component. Even in the absence of disease, a yield increase is observed due to this physiological effect. The application rate is 0.5 l/ha. Crops are treated with the adjuvant/sticker NewFilm-17 at 0.7 l/ha.

Harvesting is one of the most critical elements in rapeseed cultivation technology. While a two-phase (swathing) method is possible, direct combining is typically used. Practice has shown that direct combining is the most efficient harvesting method, reducing seed losses by 25-30% compared to swathing. In recent years, the desiccant NewFilm-17 has been applied to virtually the entire area two weeks before harvest at a rate of 0.7 l/ha. This helps prevent premature pod shattering and evens out ripening.

Rapeseed should be harvested with a high cutting height, 2-5 cm below the lowest pods. This not only reduces losses but also significantly lowers seed moisture and the amount of trash in the hopper. To minimize losses at the cutter bar, the combine should operate at a high speed (4-6 km/h) and be equipped with a special rapeseed header with an extended cutting platform and a lateral knife. Seed from the combine hopper should be immediately cleaned in a continuous flow if necessary for storage. Seed moisture must not exceed 8-9%. Even brief heating of seed piles leads to a sharp deterioration in both yield and the technological (marketable) quality of the seeds.