THE EFFECT OF CULTIVAR AND SOIL PRODUCTIVITY ON THE PREPARATION OF WINTER OILSEED RAPE FOR OVER-WINTERING

Abstract

The preparedness of winter rapeseed (Brassica napus) for wintering was evaluated in this study using plant biometric indicators and crop density, accounting for soil productivity and variety. A field experiment was carried out in the " Ateities ūkis " farm in the Radviliškis district in 2024–2025. Four winter rapeseed varieties—KWS 'Merinos', 'Maverick', 'Triathlon' and 'Harvard'—were planted in the field after different (high and low) soil productivity zones were chosen using Onesoil.ai maps. Apical bud height, number of leaves and root length, and crop density were all evaluated as biometric indicators of rapeseed ready for wintering. The study data was statistically assessed using two-factor analysis of variance, and statistically significant differences were identified at P<0.05. According to the study's results, the variety significantly affected the height of the apical bud but had no discernible influence on the quantity of leaves or the length of the roots prior to wintering. It may be concluded that variety selection is still crucial for successful overwintering since plants of the "Harvard" variety had a taller apical bud than is advised for rapeseed prior to wintering. There was not a significant variation in the height of the apical bud of winter rapeseed growing in soil productivity zones. Compared to rapeseed cultivated in less fertile soil, plants grown in more fertile soil had noticeably longer roots and more leaves. The crop density was not significantly impacted by either the variety or the soil productivity zone.