United Kingdom
December 2012
KWS UK has two new high yielding conventional oilseed rape varieties on the new 2013/14 East/West, UK Recommended List.
With a gross output of 103% of controls, Rivalda becomes the equal highest yielding conventional variety on the Recommended List.
It is the first variety to come out of KWS’ oilseed rape breeding programme in Germany and has given consistently high yields over four years of official trials.
“Rivalda’s treated gross outputs over the four years range from 102-105, showing that it is equally at home whatever the seasonal stresses that are imposed on it.
“Rivalda performed well in last season’s difficult conditions,” says KWS UK oilseed rape specialist, Tom Dummett.
“Its consistently high yields come from early flowering and late maturity, which provides a long, productive pod-fill period.”
A medium biomass variety, Rivalda has a 7 for stem stiffness and 8 for lodging.
“We see it as an ideal choice for growers across England, from Scotch Corner south, who favour conventional varieties and who are looking for a strong partner to the likes of DK Cabernet.”
Quartz
In contrast, Quartz, which has a 1% lower gross output than Rivalda has exceptional stem canker resistance and is the only recommended variety rated 9 for the disease.
Launched earlier this year prior to recommendation, Quartz is already widely grown on farm with a market share of 4-5%. It is from the successful French breeder, Momont.
“Coming at a time when phoma risks are high and stem canker likely to be a key yield robber next summer, the recommendation of Quartz, will be welcomed by most growers,” suggests Mr Dummett.
“Many have struggled to get round crops this autumn, but those who have had Quartz have been able to prioritise fungicide applications on crops of less resistant varieties,” he says.
“While Quartz has shown some phoma spotting in the autumn in unsprayed crops, its resistance package means that these are much less likely to develop into stem canker in the spring/summer.”
“In terms of position on farm, Quartz has taken market share from other, more established conventional varieties this autumn across the main rape growing regions, south of the Scottish border.
“We see Quartz is a useful companion variety for those who grow DK Cabernet which is rated 5 for stem canker – 4 points behind our RL newcomer,” says Mr Dummett.
A low biomass variety with an 8 for lodging and 7 for stem stiffness, Quartz stood up well in the difficult 2012 season.
“It has a prostrate winter growth habit and offers good winter survival. With twin 5 ratings for flowering and maturity, Quartz has a pod-fill period similar to DK Cabernet.”
Species
