Oilseed Rape

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APPLICATION ADVICE

Field reports from across the UK confirm many winter oilseed rape crops are still within the recommended timing for treatments of Galera* to be made.

There appears to be great variability between crops: from well-established stands with good leaf area index that have withstood the cold conditions very well, to poorer crops that have been affected by the frosts and subsequent pigeon grazing.

In the former, it will still be relatively easy to assess the crop growth stage and so make timely applications of Galera. The images to the right, will help with in-field assessments.

In crops that have lost much leaf over winter, assessing the growth stage cut-off for Galera will present more of a challenge. The latest application timing for Galera in winter oilseed rape, flower buds visible above the crop canopy, is linked to the physiological development stage of the crop and is not associated with the number of leaves present around the flower buds that are forming. This growth stage timing is not dependent upon leaves protecting the developing flower buds as there is no requirement for a physical barrier to protect the buds from Galera.

Many of these battered crops will still benefit from treatment with Galera, but particular care should be taken when assessing crop growth stage and making recommendations.