Rapeseed is also known as oilseed rape, rapeseed, rapa and rappi.  Rapeseed is an early maturing crop and is sown first among all rabi crops. The plant attains the height of 100cm. The plant bears bright yellow color flowers. The crop is mainly grown because of its oil rich properties. It is the third largest source of vegetable oil in India.

In Himachal Pradesh, it is grown in low mountainous areas at the height of 1000m. After harvesting of maize, rapeseed cultivation is done in mid-September to end-September. After 15 weeks its harvesting is done and then early maturing variety of wheat or potato is grown.

Sandy, loamy and light soil is good for the cultivation of rapeseed. Avoid cultivation in basic and saline soil.

DK-1: It is an early maturing and early yield giving variety. It gives an average yield of 2.5qtl/acre.

Bhvaani: It has small plant, long legumes and shiny brown color seeds. Because it is an early maturing variety, therefore the variety is resistant to thrips. The variety gets ready in 70-80 days and it gives an average yield of 3-3.5qtl/acre.

Other state varieties

T-9 (1978): Suitable for irrigated areas having good drainage system. The variety gets mature in 85-100 days and gives yield 5-6qtl/acre. It contains brown color seeds which contains 44% of oil content.

Sangam (1974): Suitable for irrigated areas. The variety gets mature in 105 days and gives an average yield of 6qtl/acre. The seeds contain 42-44% of oil content.

TL 15 (1982): The variety gets mature in 85-90 days and gives an average yield of 4qtl/acre.

Mainly rapeseed cultivation is done in irrigated areas having good drainage system.  First ploughing is done in the monsoon season which is followed by 3-4 further ploughings. Land should be prepared before 3-4 weeks of sowing.

Time of sowing
Sowing must be done before 25th September.

Spacing
Use row spacing of 30cm.

Sowing depth
Use 2-3cm of sowing depth.

Method of sowing
Kera or pora method is used.

Seed rate
Use seed rate of 4-5kg/acre.

Seed treatment
Before sowing, seeds are treated with Mancozeb@2.5gm or Captan@3gm/kg seed to protect seeds from soil borne diseases.

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

For irrigated areas, use cow dung @30-40qtl/acre and mix in soil at the time of land preparation. At time of sowing, apply Nitrogen@25kg/acre in form of Urea@54kg/acre, Phosphorus@16kg/acre in form of SSP@105kg/acre and potassium@15kg/acre in the form of MOP@25kg/acre. Half dose of nitrogen and full dose of phosphorus is applied at the time of sowing. Rest of the half dose is applied at the time of first irrigation.

For good cultivation, rapeseed requires 2 irrigations. First irrigation is given after 30-35 days of sowing and before flower development and then second irrigation is after 70-80 days of seed sowing. If only single irrigation is available then it is given after fruit development.

If weed intensity is high, then weeding is given after 20-25 days of sowing.

• Disease and their control

Wilt: If wilting is observed then spray of Sulphur powder@8kg/acre is given.

Alternaria blight: Leaves get discolored and drop from plant. Seedling and older leaves are more susceptible to this disease.

To avoid its infestation, do crop rotation, don’t sow dill crop continuously on same field. Use clean seeds. Before sowing, dip seed in hot water@50°C for 25-30min. If infestation is observed, do foliar application of Mancozeb@3gm/Ltr of water.

• Pest and their control

Painted bug: It mainly harms the crop after 7-10 days of sowing. To control this pest, spraying of Methyl Parathion 2% or Malathion 5% @8-10kg/acre is done.

Diamond black moth: To control this pest, spray of Quinalphos 25 EC @300ml/acre is done.

White fly: If White fly is observed then spraying of Methyl Parathion 5% @10kg/acre and in irrigated areas Dimethoate 30 EC @300ml/acre is done.

White bug: if infestation is observed then spraying of Mancozeb @400gm/acre is given. If needed again spray is given after the interval of 20 days.

Harvesting is done in end December to first week of January. Harvesting is done when leaf fall is observed and when legumes turn yellow. It gives an average yield of 4-6qtl/acre.