Cultivation of Spring Rape under the Conditions of European North of Russia

Rape is a promising fodder crop for Russian regions, including the Vologda Region. Due to the constant increase in the economic value of rape, there is a growing interest in its seeds. The green mass of rape and silage made from it are used as animal feed. Rape processing products, such as rapeseed cake and meal, serve as a source of protein and energy supplements in animal feed. The area planted with spring rapeseed in the Vologda Region has increased by almost six times over the past five years. Growing rape for seeds requires a comprehensive approach, which includes the careful selection of varieties, improvement of cultivation technologies, balanced nutrition of plants, and reliable protection against pests and diseases. The scientific paper presents the results of studies conducted in 2024 at the experimental field of North-Western Research Institute of Dairy and Grassland Farming in the Vologda Region. The yield of seeds with the 1st background of mineral fertilizer has been higher than that with the 2nd background. The highest seed yield of 2.54 t/ha has been obtained from the Mirakl` hybrid with the 1st background of mineral fertilizer. The protein content in the seeds of the studied hybrids and varieties has ranged from 22.5% to 27.1%, and fat content has varied from 30.7% to 34.4%.