Economic value, characteristics and production technology of oilseed rape

Abstract

Oilseed rape is one of the most important crops of the moderate climate. According to the production area it is third oil crop in the world. The genus Brassica comprises many species. The most spread are rape (B. napus oleifera DC) and turnip rape (B. rapa oleifera DC, syn. B. campestris oleifera Metzg.). Rapeseed oil is the most suitable raw material for bio-diesel production. With the average yield of 2-2.5 t/ha in Republic of Serbia, it is necessary to establish rapeseed production on over 60,000 ha for supplying bio-diesel industry. In agroecological conditions of Serbia, with the existing varieties, if all agrotechnical measures are performed appropriately and on time, it is possible to achieve high seed yield. The oil quality meats criteria of the most demanding nutritionists and therefore it is mainly used for human consumption. After oil extraction, rapeseed meal is used as a source of proteins in live-stock and poultry feed. The rapeseed crop could also be used for feeding. Trough the intensive breeding programmes, "0" type cultivars are created, with the eruca acid content below 2%. The glucosinolates, a group of compounds that give the characteristic flavour to vegetable and condiment Brassica species, are also present in oilseed rape seed. Varieties with low both eruca acid and glucosinolates are created and are named "00" type. Rapeseed needs to be included in crop rotation systems. In Serbia, except spring and winter barley and wheat, potato and some vegetables could be suitable pre-crops. Seedbed preparation begins after the previous crop harvest. The tillage should be performed on 20-30 cm depth followed by shallow tine cultivation. Seedbed preparation is decisive for obtaining unique sowing depth, rapid germination and early, uniform stands. Application of fertilizers on time, in optimal quantities, is the basic prerequisite for establishing high and stable yields. Rapeseed responds positively to the application of both organic and inorganic fertilizers. One third of the total nitrogen should be applied in the seedbed, and the other two thirds later during the spring growth (end of February). Seed used for sowing must be certified and of the highest quality. Optimal sowing period for growing conditions in Serbia is the beginning of September. The optimal seeding rates, depending on cultivar used, range from 3.5 to 5 kg/ha, which provides 70-85 plants/m2 after emergence or 55-65 plants/m2 at harvest. Cultivars of "00" type needs to be grown. Timely harvest is extremely critical for maximum yield. For growing conditions in Serbia, the harvest should be performed with direct combining, in technological maturity, when seeds contain below 13% moisture. The combines for harvesting rapeseed require proper adaptation.

Uljana repica (Brassica napus L.) je najvažnija uljana biljka umerenog klimata i po površinama na kojima se gaji zauzima treće mesto u svetu. U nekim zemljama sveta jedina je biljka za dobijanje jestivog ulja. Ulje je kvalitetno, te se prema kriterijumima najzahtevnijih nutricionista može koristiti u ljudskoj ishrani. U radu se iznose podaci o površinama i prinosima uljane repice u svetu i kod nas, te informacije o njenom poreklu, biologiji i ekologiji. Prikazane su i važnije agrotehničke mere u tehnologiji proizvodnje.