Effect of the ploughing depth and the weed control method on the winter oilseed rape yield

The effect of differentiated pre-sow ploughing depth (30, 20 and 10 cm) and weed control method (mechanical, chemical, combined mechanical and chemical) on the overwintering, weed infestation, yield and quality of seeds of oilseed rape was tested. Shallower ploughing worsened the main traits of the autumn condition of rape plants. Rape plants treated chemically had better-formed rosettes than those treated mechanically. Ploughing made to the depth of 30 and 20 cm did not significantly differentiate the yield of rape plants. However, a significant decrease (9-13%) in the yield occurred when the ploughing depth went down to 10 cm. The highest yield was obtained from the rape controlled chemically against weeds. The yield-protective effect of the combined mechanical and chemical weed control was comparable to that of mechanical method.