- Already in July, even when this year's rapeseed has not yet been harvested from the field, you need to think about new sowings.
- You need to prepare and choose the sowing method that is best for your farm, which depends on several factors.
- First of all, it depends on the machinery and weather patterns, i.e. real possibilities combined with unpredictability.
- Each manufacturer chooses the option that is the best and most convenient for him in many respects.
Below we present the experiences of several farmers. - Rapeseed sowing date
Before we move on to the methods, let us point out that the sowing date is the most important non-input factor, which is of great importance for wintering, but also for the yield of rapeseed. The optimal dates are between August 5 and 25 and depend on the region in which the crop is grown – the further to the east of the country, the earlier. Those in September are treated as delayed and intended more for hybrid rather than linear varieties, which have a faster initial growth rate. However, it must be said here that – as we wrote on farmer.pl – it is said that the current recommendations require updating in this respect and the dates for rapeseed may be moved 5-10 days later. Scientists and practitioners are working on it. For example, in the north-eastern region, the recommended sowing time was August 5-10, and after a possible change, the so-called the optimal dates will be August 10-20, and in the southwestern region August 20-25 will change to August 25-31. Extremes are not good. Too early sowing in the long autumn causes excessive growth of the plants before winter and the apical bud is pulled upwards, while too late sowing usually does not allow for the development of a sufficiently developed rosette or root and consequently affects the yield. Importantly, attention is also drawn to the need to separate recommendations for population and hybrid varieties – the latter can be sown later.
As for the sowing quantity, rapeseed is packed in the so-called seed units. However, it is generally accepted that linear varieties are sown more densely, in an amount of 50-60 seeds per square meter. Hybrids are less common, 35-45 seeds. However, everything depends on technology, because in this respect there is an opinion that the cast should be lower. The numbers given above are a starting point, which is verified in practice and changed depending on the sowing method, as described below.
The sowing depth also depends on the sowing method, but it is generally accepted that it should not be greater than 1-2 cm. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule and 2.5-3.5 cm is allowed on dry soils so that the seeds can absorb water more easily. However, on heavy soils, this higher depth may hinder emergence when heavy rainfall occurs after sowing and the soil becomes crusted.
