A new conventional oilseed rape variety showing barn-filling yield potential has enjoyed a strong uptake by growers in its first commercial year, despite failing to make it onto the 2018/19 AHDB Recommended List.

Django was sown across 20,000ha for the 2018 harvest – around 4% of the UK certified OSR seed area – reports KWS. The variety is up for consideration for RL status again this year.

Django’s performance in National List trials showed the new variety offers good yield and stem stiffness, which is what KWS attributes to its relatively high uptake. “[This is] a rare achievement for a variety still to receive recommendation,” says the breeder.

Django is a conventional OSR variety. It beat all other varieties in the 2017 RL trial, including hybrids and other conventional types, with a UK-wide average yield of 106% of controls.

“Its yield potential will be what captured growers’ attention, but it is its easy-to-manage versatility on farm that will truly endear it to growers,” says KWS.

With a stem stiffness score of 9, it is the shortest non-semi dwarf variety in trials. This suggests seed rates can be manipulated at sowing to reflect seedbed conditions and pest pressures without fear of inducing lodging later in the season. KWS claims Django has early vigour, which combined with its growth habit can be used where concerns exist over flea beetle or pigeon pressure.

When planning fungicide applications, the variety has a relatively strong 6 for light leaf spot and 6 for stem canker, which positions it well among other conventional varieties that succeeded in achieving a place on the RL.

KWS advises Django is not as well suited to late drilling as Campus. Instead, it performs best in the main drilling window between mid-Aug and early Sept. Those looking to spread the drilling workload should sow it after Barbados, but before Campus.

Django was included in NIAB trials in 2016 where it was noted for its compact structure with strong farmer appeal.

It has low glucosinolate, average oil content and is short for a non-semi dwarf. It’s average to flower and mid-to-late to mature. “Django is a serviceable variety and if its current gross output and yield is maintained, it’s a variety growers will want to try,” says KWS.

There’s more information on Django on the KWS website. CPM has also reviewed the variety – see our Insiders View.