SOIL compaction is a key issue for oilseed rape and has to be the starting point for successful crops.

It was one of the key messages given to farmers attending a meeting of the North-East Biofuels Oilseed Grower Network project in support of the Regional Strategy for Transport Biofuels.

The meeting, addressed by agronomy specialists from Agrovista, was at Croft, near Darlington, where there is a crop trial with more than 400 replicated plots to be measured for yield and oil.

Chris Glover, project manager, said: “Yield consistency is something growers struggle to achieve even with favourable weather. With a theoretical yield of over 9t/ha, typical farm yields of 3.5t/ha have a long way to go.

“Local farmers have this trial on their doorstep, making it immediately relevant to their own situations, unlike many trials where data is generated in very different climatic conditions.”

Chris Martin, agronomist, said that attention to detail made all the difference in improving crop yields.

Observations showed the subsoiler and seedbox technique gave less even establishment than the ploughing and combination drill due to uneven depth of seed placement, though the SOIL TRIALS: Farmers survey one of the plots reduced compaction led to longer, deeper roots.

In addition, it was very visible that an application of foliar nutrient PKursor had led to more lateral roots being produced in both systems.

Mr Martin said hybrid variety Flash initially trailed behind conventional DK Cabernet and semi-dwarf Pioneer D-03 but was beginning to catch up.

The conclusion was that some hybrids are not necessarily more vigorous in the autumn than conventional varieties, and that Flash in particular is unsuited to late drilling.

Mr Martin said pollen beetle had affected rape crops recently, at a level exceeding the thresholds for treatment.

Mr Glover said there was a lot of Sclerotinia disease about last year, with some crops suffering huge yield losses as a result of growers choosing not to spray.

The next meeting of the Oilseed Rape Grower Network takes place at the Croft Hotel, Croft, on Wednesday, June 24.

For details, go to www.agrovista.co.uk or contact chris.glover@agrovista.co.uk or on 07990-541-278.