180 – II.3. BRASSICA CROPS (BRASSICA SPP.)
European crop cultivation and management
Winter oilseed rape (B. napus) is the dominant species grown in both Western and
Eastern Europe (Poland, western Russian Federation and Ukraine); however, the area
sown to spring B. napus is rapidly expanding (Figure 3.28). Some spring and winter
B. rapa is grown in Finland and Sweden. In Germany over the past 13 years, the area
sown to spring oilseed rape decreased from 10% to 1% of the oilseed rape growing area.
Spring B. napus is used primarily as a replacement crop on winter oilseed rape fields that
have been winter-killed. The optimum date for sowing the winter form varies with the
latitude and the onset of winter. In northern European countries, the optimum sowing date
is the last half of August while more southerly regions in France and Germany can delay
seeding until early September. The objective is to produce plants that are large enough
and have stored sufficient food reserves to withstand the rigours of winter. It is
recommended that plants entering the winter show a vigorous growth, a well-developed
root system (taproot about 8-10 mm in diameter) and have at least 6-8 true leaves. Seed is
sown into well-worked soil at 5.0-5.5 kg per hectare when drilled and 8-9 kg per hectare
if broadcast, to obtain fall stands of 50-85 plants/m^2 to allow for some winter kill.
Figure 3.28. Oilseed rape (B. napus) production regions in Europe showing millions of hectares
of winter rape per country
Notes: The dotted line encircles the primary growing region for winter oilseed rape. Spring rape production is
concentrated in Eastern Europe, primarily the Russian Federation (>0.5 M ha) and Ukraine (0.1-0.5 M ha).
Source: Adapted from information supplied by Norddeutsche Pflanzenzucht.
