RAPESEED

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 100 cm. 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. 

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

T-9 (1978): Suitable for irrigated areas having good drainage system. The variety gets mature in 85-100 days and gives yield 5-6 qtl/acre. It contains brown color seeds which contains 44% of oil content.
 
Bhvaani: It has small plant, long legumes and shiny brown color seeds. 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 3-3.5 qtl/acre.
 
P.T 303: Ready to harvest in 90-95 days. It gives average yield of 6 to 7.2 qtl per acre.
 
P.T 30: Ready to harvest in 90-95 days. It gives average yield of 5.6 to 6.4 qtl per acre.
 
Other state varieties:
 
DK-1: It is an early maturing and early yield giving variety. It gives an average yield of 2.5 qtl/acre.
 
Sangam (1974): Suitable for irrigated areas. The variety gets mature in 105 days and gives an average yield of 6 qtl/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 4.5 qtl/acre.

 

Plough land thoroughly and bring soil to fine tilth. Plough land with soil turning plough followed by two – three ploughing with plough used at home (desi hal) or cultivator or harrow. At time of last ploughing apply well decomposed cow dung@16qtl per acre. 

Time of sowing:
First fortnight of September month is optimum time for sowing of rapeseed. For Bhavani variety, complete sowing in second fortnight of September.

Spacing:
Use row spacing of 30 cm.

Sowing depth:
Sow seeds at a depth of 3-4 cm.

Method of sowing:
For sowing use seed drill method.
 

Seed rate:
Use seed rate of 1.6 kg/acre.

Seed treatment:
Before sowing, seeds are treated with Mancozeb@2.5 gm or Captan@3 gm/kg seed to protect seeds from soil borne diseases. To protect crop from Powdery Mildew, treat seeds with Metalaxyl@1.5 gm per kg of seed.

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

 If weed intensity is high, then weeding is given after 20-25 days of sowing. Do pre-emergence application of Pendimethalin 30EC@1 Ltr per 200 Ltr of water.

•  Disease and their control:

Wilt: If wilting is observed then spray of Sulphur powder@8 kg/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 25-30 min. If infestation is observed, do foliar application of Mancozeb@3 gm/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% @8-10 kg/acre is done.

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

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

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

Harvesting is done when leaf fall is observed and when pods changes its color to yellow. It gives an average yield of 4-6 qtl/acre.