With a gross output 108% of control, DSV’s new Oilseed Rape variety Incentive is the top performing hybrid with the highest overall oil content in the HGCA’s latest 2013 Candidate List for East and West regions and is the number one candidate in the North region.
The variety’s outstanding performance in early trials throughout the UK suggest it will have the same vigour profile, standing power and agronomic benefits that underpin DSV’s highly popular Compass hybrid and the new high-yielding semi-dwarf Troy, says Mike Mann of DSV UK.
“Incentive is the latest variety from our technical breeding programme in Germany focusing on class-leading performance with strong genetics that allow crops to deliver great results in a wide range of different growing conditions, as shown by the official trials from both UK regions.
“The importance of this in-built resilience can be seen in the exceptional standing power and yield shown by Compass in the field during last year’s difficult conditions and Troy’s outstanding winter hardiness in recent months.”
Incentive has an oil content of 45.8% in the Candidate List with an 8 for lodging resistance and a 7 for stem stiffness. The variety scores 6 for earliness of flowering, has early maturity (6.5) and gives good resistance to light leaf spot (6) and stem canker (5).
“Incentive has the perfect profile for UK growers with high gross margin potential from its combined yield and oil content, robust genetics giving it dependable field performance and a strong package of agronomic qualities.
“Being a hybrid in the true DSV mould, it has a carefully developed vigour profile to allow reliable establishment and root development, controlled response to early Nitrogen applications and a strong Spring kick to optimise canopy development.”
Limited quantities of Incentive seed will be available this summer, but DSV’s expectation is that this will be sold out quickly along with the company’s new variety Marathon – which has the highest outright seed yield in the 2013/14 RL – and Troy, the highest yielding semi-dwarf ever tested by the HGCA.
“There’s a lot of interest in our genetics right now, particularly in light of the year we have just had, and we believe we have established a set of breeding values that relate well to UK growers,” Mike Mann says.
On the subject of hybrids versus conventional sales, Mike estimates around 15% of Oilseed Rape seed grown each year is farm saved with a further 30% certified conventional varieties, leaving hybrids occupying 55% of the market.
“We’re entering a new era of crop production in the UK where sheer vigour and growing resilience are what matters as conditions get increasingly variable due to climate change and this is exactly what good hybrids can provide.
“We’re confident Incentive and our other varieties have exactly the right characteristics to help growers cope with these new demands and they will continue to be at the core of our breeding for many years to come.”
