Why should I adopt the Yieldbuilder approach with OSR?
Many growers have experienced variable yields in oilseed rape this harvest, largely due to fluctuating weather conditions which included the UK’s sixth wettest July after the hottest June on record. This demonstrates the importance of priming OSR crops early, to not only maximise establishment but to improve nutrient use efficiency (NUE) to deliver an adequate return on investment next season.
Nutrient use efficiency describes the percentage of the applied nutrient that is absorbed and the ability of the plant to assimilate the nutrient once absorbed.
This season’s OSR trials at Newcastle University looked at sequencing biostimulants to improve yield. The results showed that yield and quality can be maintained under a reduced nitrogen regime, as biostimulants help improve NUE by improving rooting, maintaining photosynthesis, and boosting nitrogen assimilation. The trial investigated the effects of a Yieldbuilder approach, when applied with 80% and 100% spring nitrogen rates. A zero spring N control provides a benchmark for comparison between the treated conditions.
Interestingly, the reduction in nitrogen rate from 100% to 80% increased yield by 0.34t/ha, providing economic and environmental benefits with reduced nitrogen inputs of 36 kg N When paired with a combination of IntraCrop’s recommended Yieldbuilder programme, yield increased by an impressive 0.70t/ha when compared with the 100% Nitrogen control. The effects were most significant with two phosphite applications, first in the autumn and during pre-stem extension, which improves establishment by providing rooting benefits.
UK Account Manager Jack Hill said, “The benefit of reducing nitrogen inputs and applying biostimulants to oilseed rape has helped to maintain and build yield during an extremely variable season. With more uncertainty to follow, it would be a wise move for growers to be proactive and build yield foundations early in the autumn by adopting a Yiedlbuilder approach.”
