Growers deciding on oilseed rape varieties for harvest 2025 have several newcomers to consider, as well as some very reliable performers among existing contenders.

Three new UK-wide hybrids from Limagrain now sit at the top of the new-look list for gross output, while a new East/West-region hybrid from DSV has also joined the line-up.

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In addition, there’s a new conventional variety from Grainseed and another Clearfield variety, also from DSV, in a year that sees the crop continue to come under economic pressure.

Colin Peters, Niab’s break crop specialist, points out that Limagrain now dominates the list, having built an excellent platform for delivering varieties stacked with traits – something the plant breeding company refers to as “fully loaded”.

“At first glance, their new hybrids look very similar,” he acknowledges. “But there are subtle differences between them, which helps to decide where they should be grown and if they suit your site.”

New hybrids

Armada has a UK gross output of 107%, just ahead of Academic and Adeline on 106%.

All three offer both pod shatter and turnip yellows virus resistance, with a light leaf spot rating of 7 and a stem canker score of 6, along with very stiff stems. 

Adeline has given a better performance in the North, with a gross output of 108%, says Colin.

“That may determine where it is planted, as it is early flowering and later maturing. It does have a slightly lower oil content than its stablemates.”

Armada is slightly different in that it flowers later, giving it a shorter flowering window, but still maintains yield performance, he adds.

“That’s positive from a sclerotinia perspective as it helps to reduce risk.”

Academic sits between the other two, with the same early flowering and later maturity found in Adeline.

“These are all good additions that offer 1-2% more yield,” he stresses.

“However, growers have done very well with the likes of Ambassador and Aurelia, so may prefer to stick with varieties they are comfortable with.

“Ambassador has been especially reliable – not just in the UK, but right across Europe.”

Dolphin from DSV is the other hybrid newcomer, which was recommended for the East/West region only, after insufficient data was gathered about its performance in the North.

With a gross output of 106%, it has a 9 for stem stiffness and a very high oil content of 46.6%, but doesn’t have the pod shatter resistance that the other newcomers offer.

“Dolphin is a good variety with very decent disease resistance, including a 7 for stem canker. It’s also been given a moderately resistant rating for verticillium wilt.”

Conventional choice

Pinnacle oilseed rape © Grainseed

The conventionals have been boosted by the addition of Pinnacle to the Recommended List, but growers should not expect a jump in performance.

“Having another conventional variety is a good thing and it’s nice to see them still coming onto the list,” says Colin.

However, it is not an improvement over the existing line-up, he admits, as it matches last year’s addition Tom for gross output, on 102%, but has a lower stem canker rating of 4.

Otherwise, Annika, Acacia and Aspire will continue to fill the drills, he predicts.

“There’s not much to choose between them – none are great for stem canker, but Annika and Aspire do offer turnip yellows virus resistance.”

Neither do the conventionals offer pod shatter resistance – a trait that is increasingly valued by growers, he notes.

Clearfield

Given a specific recommendation for the North, DSV’s Miraculix CL has joined the herbicide-tolerant category.

With a gross output in the North of 96%, it adds to the choice for growers and brings resistance to both pod shatter and turnip yellows virus.

“It’s another good variety for those who like the Clearfield system,” says Colin.

There are three other Clearfield varieties on the list – Matrix CL and Constructor CL with UK-wide recommendations, and Beatrix CL for the North.