Turnip rape or oilseed rape — and which type? That is the question!

There are many reasons to include oilseed crops in the rotation — but how to choose between turnip rape (rypsi) and oilseed rape (rapsi)? And which type?

• population
• hybrid
• synthetic hybrid
• winter‑sown
• spring‑sown
• Clearfield®

Oilseed crops must not be forgotten in crop rotation.
They:

• have excellent preceding crop value
• improve soil structure and health
• support biodiversity as flowering crops
• offer good economic potential (recent yields > cereals)

Demand for domestic oilseed harvest is steadily increasing.

Spring turnip rape or spring oilseed rape?

Choosing between rypsi and rapsi can be challenging. Both:

• share the same end uses
• have strengths
• have high‑quality varieties
• perform well under northern conditions

Turnip rape advantages:

• very reliable to cultivate
• flexible sowing window
• allows sowing winter wheat after harvest (excellent preceding crop)

Oilseed rape advantages:

• more demanding
• typically higher yielding
• excellent choice for high‑yield aims on good soils
• longer growth duration → mainly for southern zones (I–II)

Population, hybrid or synthetic hybrid?

Population varieties

• long cultivation history
• traditional
• cross‑pollinating
• stable traits

Hybrid varieties

• higher seed cost
• high yield potential via heterosis
• produced from distinct male & female lines
• lower seeding rate

Synthetic hybrids

• sown at population variety seed rates
• intermediate between population and hybrid
• produced by combining parent lines grown in isolation
• provide heterosis + stability

Conventional or Clearfield®?

Clearfield®:

• allow use of Clentiga herbicide
• valuable on fields with severe broadleaf weed pressure
• contain IMI-resistance gene

Both turnip rape and oilseed rape have Clearfield options (suffix CL). Clearfield® is a registered production system of BASF.

Spring-sown or winter-sown?

Spring types

• often face higher pest & disease pressure
• reliable
• flexible sowing

Winter types

• significantly higher yield potential if successful
• higher risk (overwintering)

Good planning, suitable variety choice and timely crop protection pay off. Explore Boreal’s oilseed crop varieties and choose yours!