The conventional oilseed rape variety Pinnacle has topped the AHDB Recommended List thanks to its gross output and treated yields.
Neil Groom, general manager for Grainseed, added that it produced the highest gross output in all regions in three years of official trials, and also offered a top agronomy profile with lodging resistance and stem stiffness.
An ADAS aerial survey showed that 30% of rape lodges on average and the recent wet and windy weather will have exacerbated this issue. As cabbage stem flea beetle damage can also cause lodging, growers will be happy to know that Pinnacle reportedly has excellent vigour, allowing it to grow away from pest damage.
The variety was awarded an 8 for lodging and a 9 for stem stiffness. Additional traits included 5 for both flowering and grain maturity.
“Growers want a variety that is easy and less costly to grow but still achieves high yields. A conventional variety such as Pinnacle can save you money as its seed is less costly than hybrid seed.
“Top lodging resistance and stem stiffness ratings will protect the crop against lodging and the variety’s comprehensive disease package will protect the crop from disease attack, saving money in the long run.
“A good all-round disease resistance package can save time and money but do not forget that growing a resistant variety against Verticillium is the only way to minimise this disease, as there are still no approved chemicals,” says Neil Groom.