Rapeseed Increased Yields

24/7 monitoring of your rapeseed fields

Rapeseed: Key Facts

Height

3 to 5 feet (90 to 150 cm)

Yield

Typically, 1.5-1.8 tons per ha (55–66 bushels per acre) for spring rapeseed and 2.5-4 tons per ha (92–147 bushels per acre) for winter rapeseed.

Pollination

Primarily pollinated by insects, especially bees. Self-pollinating varieties also bring increased yield when bee-pollinated.

Roots

Deep branched root system that grows down fast (about 2 cm per day).

Irrigation needs

Moderate water requirement

Geography

Temperate regions; major producers include Canada, Germany, France, Ukraine, the UK, China, and India.

Season

Late winter or early spring in temperate regions; winter in tropical and subtropical areas.

Growth temperature

The optimal range is 15°C to 21°C (59°F to 70°F).

Growth cycle duration

90 to 120 days depending on the variety and environmental conditions.

Soil

Prefers well-drained, loamy soils.

6.0 to 7.0

Common types

Canola (Brassica napus)

InVigor: Widely grown in Western Canada and the US, known for high oil content and resistance.
Hyola: Commonly grown in Canada and Australia, known for resilience in various conditions.

Field Mustard (Brassica rapa)

Grown in some regions of Europe. It is high in nutrients and antioxidants and is known for improved seed yield.

Photo: americansouthwest.net

High Erucic Acid Rapeseed (HEAR)

Cultivated primarily for industrial uses (high-temperature lubricants, cosmetics, printing ink, etc.) rather than for food.

Photo: agindustries.org.uk

True Rapeseed (Brassica napus)

Excalibur: Often cultivated in European countries with milder winters; known for its resilience to cold conditions.
Adriana: Grows in milder climates in various European countries.

Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea)

Cutlass: Widely grown in India and some parts of Asia, known for its drought resistance and is primarily used for mustard oil production.

Photo: inaturalist.org

Rapeseed Phenophases and Signs to Look Out For

Rapeseed (canola) is a plant with bright-yellow flowers belonging to the Brassicaceae family (along with mustard and cabbage) and primarily cultivated for its oil-rich seeds. Its uses depend on the levels of erucic acid; low-erucic varieties are an important source of edible oil that is low in saturated fat and rich in heart-healthy fats. High-erucic types of rapeseed are grown for industrial uses, such as hydraulic fluids, biofuels, paints, cosmetics, and plastics.

In addition to its nutritional and industrial value, rapeseed plays a significant role in crop rotation. Its deep and branched root system helps to improve soil’s aeration and water infiltration. It also brings nutrients from deeper levels closer to the surface, reducing the need for fertilizers. Canola can outcompete many common weeds, helps disrupt the life cycle of diseases and pests related to continuous cropping strategies, and its flowers support the ecosystem's biodiversity by being an essential food source for pollinating insects.

Germination

Seeds absorb water, swell, and begin to sprout within a few days to a week after planting.

Common threats and diseases: Fungal diseases (Seed Rot)

Signs to watch: Poor or uneven emergence

Seedling development

Seedlings start establishing a root system, and the first shoots with leaves begin to grow.

Common threats and diseases: Fungal diseases (seedling blight, seedling root rot), flea beetles, slugs

Signs to watch: Wilting seedlings, holes in leaves

Rosette stage

The seedling forms a rosette of leaves close to the ground.

Common threats and diseases: Cabbage aphids, blackleg disease

Signs to watch: Yellowing leaves, visible aphid clusters

Bolt stage

The stem elongates as the plant prepares to flower, and side shoots are forming. It is also the stage of early flower bud development.

Common threats and diseases: Flea beetles and other pests

Signs to watch: Stunted growth or excessive leaf damage

Flowering

Yellow flowers emerge from buds, and pollination happens. This stage lasts for several weeks.

Common threats and diseases: Sclerotinia (White Mold)

Signs to watch: Wilting flowers or white mold growth

Pod formation

After flowering, seed pods with unripe seeds develop. The pods gradually enlarge, and plants require proper irrigation and sufficient nutrients.

Common threats and diseases: Sclerotinia (White Mold)

Signs to watch: Rotting pods, white mold growth

Seed maturation

Seeds mature and ripen inside the pods, becoming hard and dark.

Common threats and diseases: Fungal diseases

Signs to watch: Premature pod splitting, discoloration

Harvesting

When the pods become straw-brown and seeds reach optimal moisture content (between 9 and 14%), rapeseed should be harvested.

Common threats and diseases: Weather damage

Signs to watch: Wet or damaged pods

Try Now

Always data-based: Explore our clients’ results

Ukraine

Detecting problems in the rapeseed field

Rapeseed, 1 September 2024

Rapeseed, 16 September 2024

Rapeseed, 27 September 2024

Photo series taken by Cropler’s agri-cameras showed the process of rapeseed destruction in a field in Ukraine. Cropler regularly notified the farmer about the significant problem in the field.

Outcome: Due to agri-cameras, farmers could monitor their fields daily, see important changes, and quickly respond to problems.

Ukraine

Kolos farm

Detecting the presence of insects and pests remotely

Rapeseed, 23 April 2024

Rapeseed, 27 April 2024

Rapeseed, 30 April 2024

The farm's agronomist monitored a pheromone trap in the rapeseed field with Cropler’s camera. Daily photo series showed the dynamics of insect emergence and helped to notice a significant increase in their numbers by the end of April.

Outcome: Due to photo monitoring, it was possible to detect the presence of pests in the field faster, without the need for daily in-person checks of the pheromone trap.

Cropler helps in many ways

Monitor plant health remotely 24/7

Choose the best time to irrigate and fertilize

Act quickly in the case of diseases or pests

Plan harvesting and estimate yield potential