The drive is on to plan to get oilseed rape established as quickly and effectively as possible this year, with issues associated with the loss of neonicotinoid seed dressing threatening once again.
The Insecticide Resistance Action Committee are also highlighting the high risk of CSFB damage in rape this autumn, and the fact that high levels of pyrethroid resistance means that the effectiveness of pesticide applications will be limited. They are suggesting early planting to help the crop outgrow damage risk.
For farmers using or planning subsoiler establishment, placing a band of liquid starter fertiliser around the seed can have major advantages in terms of fertiliser efficiency and boosting growth, helping the crop establish quickly and vigorously at a very low cost.
Starter fertiliser allows relatively high rates of nitrogen and phosphate to be applied around the seed, while only using low rates of fertiliser across the field.
For example, depending on the area treated, 80-100 l/ha of OMEX 14-14-0 delivers between 50-70 kg/ha N and P2O5 in the seedling zone, whilst only applying 13.5-17 kg/ha N and P2O5 across the field. Other ratios of nutrients are available, including 7-20-0, 17-8-0 and 30-0-0.
Providing a nutrient-rich zone for rape seedlings has significant benefits in terms of autumn establishment and spring growth.
In the pictures below one pass of the subsoiler was made without application of 14-14-0. The effect is clear on early establishment, and later into the spring the difference is still visible.
Using a liquid delivery system allows other inputs to be applied at the same time, such as TPA to maintain phosphate availability and sequential treatment with biostimulants can boost establishment further.
TPA
TPA is a phosphate enhancer. It maintains the availability of phosphate to crops, delaying the normal process of immobilisation that reduces fertiliser efficiency. Seedlings require available phosphate to encourage establishment and rooting, and conventional phosphate can fail to provide this.
Adding TPA to liquid fertiliser ensures that 100% water solubility is prolonged, stimulating effective rooting and boosting establishment. Trials have demonstrated significant improvements in establishment and crop canopy size following the inclusion of TPA.
Biostimulants
Following up starter fertiliser with a an early application of Kickstart or Bio20 has been shown to boost establishment even more.
For more contact your local OMEX representative.
Scott Baker
Nutritional Agronomist
Scottb@omex.com