Companion plant JD
for OIL RAPESEED
An « eco-performant « agronomical solution
- To reduce competition from weed
- To improve rape nutrition at the
end of winter
- To improve soil structure
What is a compagnion plant?
Sowed at the same time than the main crop, companion plants allows a
significant yield improvement. Initially developed for oil rapeseed, JD is also
currently working on finding solution for other crops as well such as winter
cereals, maize and sunflower.
SOWING
Mixture of
COMPANION
PLANTS
HARVESTING
CROP
COMPANION
PLANTS
What targets are we aiming to reach with companion plants on oil
rapeseed ?
The added value brought by legumes sowed in association with oilrape seed
has now been demonstrated. The targets of this technique are the following :
1- Reduce the competition of weeds on rapes
2- Secure the nutriments availability for rapes at the end of winter
3- Improve soil structure on the first 20 cm
How did Jouffray-Drillaud did select the varieties of companion
plants for oil rapeseed ?
Based on our strong expertise in intercrop covers, Jouffray-Drillaud has
started several years ago a research and development program dedicated
to companion plants for oil rapeseed. This selection program aims to
create the optimal varieties within the best possible species range for the
specific use of companion plant. The first target is to increase the rape yield
thanks to its association with other plants. Legumes have strong
agronomical advantages and therefore are the base of our companion plant
program where variety characteristics are as important as the species.
What characteristics do we select for companion plants of
oilrape seed?
• A fast and early growth
• An important covering power but which at the same time should not
compete with rape
• High sensitivity to frost
• A good mineralisation ability at the end of winter (Low C/N ratio)
• A low TGW (thousands grains weight) for an easy drilling in association with
rape
Jouffray-Drillaud Cultivation advise :
Can this new technique fit to all situation ?
It is advised to be careful on lands where there is a high weed pressure,
especially with broadleaved plants such as : géraniums, mayweed, cleaver…etc.
An appropriate weed control strategy should be adopted especially in difficult
situation. The way the soil is worked out is also an important factor. In case of
direct drill, the weed pressure is lower and the companion plant technique
then has increased chances of success.
Companion plant effect on the development of
geranium (weed) on oilrape seed crop – direct drill
(2009)
Low weed
risk
Intermediate Strong weed
weed risk
risk
Classical plowing
Smart weed
control strategy
needed
Not advisable
Simplified
agronomic
techniques
Smart weed
control strategy
needed
Not advisable
Geranium qty (g/m²)
Nbre of geranium /m²
Direct drill
Rape
Rape +
Compagnion plant
When should I sow?
Sow early
- In order to support the growth of both rape and companion plant
- In order to increase the legumes frost sensitivity as they will be at a more
advanced development stage.
20/08 au 01/09
25/08 au 05/09
20/08 au 05/09
25/08 au 10/09
How should oil rapeseed and companion plants be drilled?
A simultaneous drilling in one single go is advisable when equiped with a
double hopper drill or even by mixing the rape and the companion plant seed
together in the drill. In this last case, the mix of different type of seeds gives
additional fluidity .
Sowing in two steps can also be done : first sow the companion plants with
reduced seed row gap and then seed the rape (precision drill or striptill)
Which weed-killing strategy should I go for ?
Weeding strategy should be defined and decided according to the weed risk
and the cultivation techniques which are being used. The companion plant
covering effect will reduce sgnificantly the weed pressure in autumn. However,
this technique cannot replace a weeding in difficult situations. Therefore, the
weed-killer chosen should be efficient against weed and respectcfull of the
companion plants. New weed-killers which are currently under registration
process for post-germination use, are being tested. They could be an
interesting solution in the future for rapeseed associated with companion
plant.
High weed pressure
risk situation
Low weed pressure
risk situation
Pre germination
Post emergence
Program 1
Novall
0,5 to 0,7 L/ha
Novall 1 L/ha
Program 2
Butisan 1L/ha
Butisan 1L/ha
Program 3
Sprinbok 1,5L/Ha
Novall 0,5L/Ha
Program 4
Novall 1 L/ha
(early)
Program 5
Lontrel 1L/ha or
Callisto 0,15 L/ha
An anti graminea weeding intervention may be advisable depending on situations .
In case companion plants are not destroyed by frost, they can be removed with Lontrel at low dosis
0.3 to 0.4L
What fertilization?
This companion crop is composed of a legumes assortment and is destroyed by frost
during winter. It then release some 30 to 40 units of nitrogen to the main crop (winter
oilseed rape). This additionnal nitrogen supply is due to :
- The mineralization of the plants (leaves and roots) in the ground.
- An improved rooting system of the rape thanks to the action of the rooting
system of the companion plants
- A global improvement of the soil fertility.
The rape benefits from its companion plants till flowering and permit a reduction of
nitrogen fertilisation. Depending on climatic conditions, companion plants provide up
to +20% of growth to the rapeseed at stage F1/G1. The mineralization and nitrogen
restitution process is directly linked to the C/N ratio of the selected companion plants.
+
+
X VETCH
Mineralized N
Release
C/N
X Berseem clover
-
C/N
+
-
Nitrogen Release time
+
Is their any effect on insects that create damages on oil rapeseed ?
Several measurements and observation could be done, showing encouraging results on
insects behaviours on rape, when companion plants are present. We could observe less
insect attacks. These observation are particularly valid in autumn for altises and flea beetles
which are disturbed during their laying season. However, a certain level of watchfullness
should be observed and any intervention decision should take into account the insect
pressure level.
Do companion plant influence the level of fungal disease on oil rapeseed?
It was not observed any increase of diseases specific to oil rapeseed, such as schlerotinia,
when companion plants are present. When peas are part of the rotation, it is advisable to
go for varieties that are not sensitive to aphanomice such as lentils.
And what is the outcome ?...
For the past 3 years, very encouraging results could be observed in experimental
slots as well as in the fields. Aditionnal yields of about 300 kg /ha could be obtained
in comparison to oil rapeseed alone. These performances can be explained by an
increase in the number of pods per m².
Yields in 100 kg / ha
Relations between the volume of green matter at flowering and yields
Volume of green matter at flowering (kg/m²)
Direct drill – Rapes + Comp. plants
No direct drill – Rapes + Comp plants
Direct drill – Oil rapeseed alone
No direct drill – Oil rapeseed alone
Autumn
% species
Nbre of
seed/m2
48
20
Red vetch BINGO
32
17
Berseem clover TABOR
20
160
Common vetch, very early, NACRE
•Less weed
• Rape grows faster
•The rape develops stronger roots
Winter
ADVANTAGES OF THE MIX
•Fast ground covering = less weed, less herbicides
• Secured growth (3 species)
•Improvement of the soil structure, thanks to the strong roots of
these 3 legumes
•Excellent nitrogen releaseto the oilseed rape
•Increased soil fertility (legumes effect)
•Varieties easily destroyed by frost
Yield in % of reference
Rape variety JIMMY (½ early)
Yield 3,44 tons / ha
Companion plants destroyed by
frost
At the end of winter
Improved nitrogen nutrition when
the rape starts growing again
Before harvesting
Companion
plant
JD PC1
Berseem
clover +
medic +
hairy vetch
Common
vetch + hairy
vetch
Lentil +
fenugrec+
gesse
Higher yields