MATURITY AND POD SHATTERING RISK

• Maturity: At the end of a plant life cycle, the colour of the grain gradually changes from green to brown, then black. Grain maturity differs slightly between the pods at the top of the plants and the ones on the bottom branches. Optimum harvest time is when the maximum number of pods on the upper part of the plants are over-matured.
• Humidity: Optimum maturity is between 12% and 8%. A lower rate presents a risk of significant loss.
• Pod shattering: If rapeseed is over-matured, the pods may open causing the seeds to fall. This phenomenon is called pod shattering. The right varietal choice will limit the risk.

For more information, download our rapeseed technical guide: click here