Hybrid OSR varieties make the grade after tricky year

摘要

Five hybrid winter oilseed rape varieties from three plant breeding companies were added to the AHDB's Recommended List 2021-22, joining a strong existing line-up of high-perfoiming varieties.Two of the newcomers were given a UK recommendation, with the other three approved for the East/West region only.Just having hybrids as the new additions is unusual, says Colin Peters, break crop specialist at crop consultant Niab, who adds that the conventional types didn't performas well as expected last year, albeit from a limited number of trials."It was a difficult year for all crop trials and assessments, not just oilseed rape. Apart from weather disruption, we had serious problems trying to establish the trials under significant flea beetle adult activity followed by high larval pressure," hesays.