WOSR | Canopy Management at a Glance
Winter oilseed rape can capture and use N to reduce fertiliser in spring 2023
Use Green Area Index (GAI) to manage spring fertiliser programme in LG Aurelia and LG Aviron WOSR with GAI canopy management research by Teagasc.
Use GAI to save €250 per hectare on the average crop of WOSR in the next few weeks (most WOSR crops are 2 Green Area Index (GAI) which can save 100 kg N/ha).
Case Study from 2022 harvest on Peter McGuinness Farm, Athboy, Co. Meath
WOSR Crop Performance in 2022
LG Aviron WOSR sown 20th August
Used GAI to calculate N requirement
Total nitrogen applied in 2022 crop was 50 units/ac
Yielded 2.44t/ac
LG Aviron WOSR was the most profitable crop on farm in 2022
WOSR use canopy management and GAI. Winter oilseed rape can capture and use N to reduce fertiliser in spring 2023
Exploit the N in the crop in spring 2023 fertiliser programme
1. Access your crop in February
2. Calculate the GAI using App or weight
3. Decide N programme and timing
4. Front load N in crops < 1.0 GAI
5. Back-load N in crops >1.0 GAI
Download GAI App from your APP store - search BASF OSR GAI
Canopy Management Research conducted by Teagasc Oakpark
Tim O’Donovan, Seedtech and John Spink, Teagasc discuss canopy management and GAI
Extract from Teagasc Tillage Conference proceedings Jan2022
Understanding N requirements using Canopy Management and GAI
WOSR is the only Autumn sown crop that has the ability to harness sunshine and use /store in August, September, October and reduce Fertilizer N in Spring.
Research by Dermot Forristal of Teagasc Oakpark shows how their canopy management research on Winter Oilseed rape can capture and use N. This provides an opportunity for farmers to use the GAI to calculate their N requirement in early spring and save on artificial N.
WOSR crop and the effect of radiation on N requirements
The system of canopy assessment works on the principle that a dense crop of rape contains more nitrogen (taken up over winter) than a thin crop.
The measurement is called the Green Area Index (GAI), and each score of GAI score = 50 kg N/ha (40 units per ac) is very valuable at current fertiliser prices.
The crop can be assessed (by eye, smartphone app or by weighing it) in springtime, and based on the GAI score, it is possible to save €100 per acre on the average crop of WOSR in spring.
Most WOSR crops reach a Green Area Index (GAI) of 2 which can save 100 kg N/ha) using the Teagasc canopy management research.
LG Aurelia WOSR key varietal attributes
The importance of genetic traits in WOSR for disease resistance & yield with Liam Wilkinson, Limagrain
LG Aurelia WOSR Hybrid breeding provides:
Excellent stem strength (disease resistance)
Pod shatter resistance traits
Excellent lodging resistance
Turnip Mosaic Virus (TuYV) resistance
Extremely high yielding in DAFM trials 2019-2021
Yield stability year on year over 10 years of data
If you would like more information on what to sow this spring, see HERE
If you have any queries, please contact Nigel or me.
