Protect OSR yield with pod sealants
As oilseed rape crops move closer to pod formation and harvest, protecting yield potential will become the focus for growers. While varietal improvements have helped improve pod shatter resistance in recent years, pod loss prior to and during harvest continues to present a significant economic risk for our growers, particularly in seasons where harvest timing is delayed by weather or operational pressures. Rising oilseed commodity prices, together with good establishment and strong yield potential, are sharpening growers’ focus on protecting crops from potential losses attributed to pod shatter.
Pod sealants remain an important management tool for reducing seed loss and supporting harvest flexibility, helping growers retain more marketable yield while reducing volunteer pressure in following crops.
IntraCrop’s pod sealant, Arrest P, has been developed to strengthen pods during the critical ripening period, reducing the risk of premature pod opening caused by environmental and mechanical stresses.
Pod shatter in OSR occurs as they mature and dry down, particularly when crops experience fluctuating moisture conditions, wind, heavy rain or delayed combining. As pods ripen from the base of the plant upwards, the earliest pods become increasingly vulnerable to splitting before harvest. Yield losses from pod shatter can be significant. In addition to direct seed loss, shattered seed contributes to volunteer OSR populations in following crops and can increase disease carryover within tighter rotations.
While modern genetics have improved resistance in many varieties, pod sealants provide an additional layer of protection. This is particularly relevant in high-risk situations where weather or harvest logistics may extend the harvest window.
Arrest P is a polymer and surfactant blend designed to coat the pod surface and improve strength without interfering with natural crop drying or seed maturity. Applied at the pod’s “green and bendy” stage, typically from BBCH 80 onwards, the flexible coating helps reduce premature splitting while allowing the crop to mature normally. It can be applied alone or alongside desiccation programmes, providing flexibility within existing harvest management strategies.
Independent UK and European trials have demonstrated the benefits of pod sealants in OSR with the following results:
- Up to 11.7% yield increase compared with glyphosate alone
- Average yield improvements across multiple seasons of +0.3 t/Ha – at current commodity prices (Harvest 26) this is equivalent to +£130/Ha
- Reduced shatter levels
- Lower volunteer pressure in following crops
Interest in pod sealant technology continues to grow internationally too as growers look for practical ways to protect yield stability in increasingly variable harvest conditions. This season, Arrest P oilseed rape field trials are underway in China, including provincial-scale applications in Jiangxi and Hubei provinces. Initial applications were completed in April across commercial-scale trial areas, with yield assessments planned during harvest in May.
The trials are evaluating pod shatter reduction and yield protection under local growing conditions, reflecting growing international interest in technologies that support harvest management and reduce pre-harvest seed losses.
As seasonal variability continues to challenge harvest planning, integrated approaches to harvest management are becoming increasingly important. When applied at the correct timing, pod sealants such as Arrest P provide growers with an additional management tool to help safeguard yield potential through to harvest.
