New oilseed rape variety gives growers options

• Resilience key to consistent yields

• Focus on essential traits

• New Domingos has huge potential

A newly recommended oilseed rape is said to tick all the boxes by producing consistently high yields across a range of different growing conditions.

Yield potential without the built-in traits needed to give rape optimum resilience and yield stability is not enough anymore, particularly in areas struggling with the crop during recent years, says KWS UK oilseed rape product manager Rory Hannam.

“Strong vigour and a full set of key agronomic traits are now essential for growing oilseed rape in the UK with our new generation of hybrid varieties a significant step forward in future-proofing the crop.”

Resistance

The highest yielding oilseed rape variety specifically on the 2025/26 AHDB Recommended List for the east-west region is KWS Hinsta. It combines the built in traits of TuYV protection and pod shatter resistance.

“The topline figures of 106% for gross output and 46.1% for oil content are also pretty impressive,” says Mr Hannam.

These headline figures are eye catching but Hinsta has more to offer, he adds. It’s only when you dig beneath the headline figures that the strengths of the variety stand out.

“The RL shows that Hinsta has intermediate resistance to verticillium and our own private trials data would improve on this claim where during inoculated pot tests Hinsta performed as well as a variety classed as partially resistant across a couple of years.

“Pod shatter is an absolute necessity these days as the weather is so unpredictable and we are seeing more extremes in weather patterns.”

Protection

Having this built-in trait offers protection against pod shatter to help minimise potential losses when the crop is at its most valuable and after all the hard work has been put in throughout the season.

“It’s the same with TuYV protection too. With growers using less, if there was a bad aphid infestation in the autumn having the trait in a variety is the best way to mitigate any risk of infection,” says Mr Hannam.

“Strong varietal resistance to TuYV is the best way to mitigate against this growing threat.”

” Hinsta also has a 7 for Light Leaf Spot (LLS) which again gives it ample protection against this disease which, although largely confined to the North of the country a few years ago, is now a problem in many parts of the country.

“With good standing power, lodging resistance and a height of 155cm, KWS Hinsta has the right type of plant structure to support high yields plus it suits both early and late drilling slots.

“It’s a combination of all these features that will make it a top performer in the field and one that will help growers not only simplify their management of the crop but also, help produce a profitable crop. “

Hybrid power

Underpinning the variety’s performance is KWS’ commitment to hybrid breeding, Mr Hannam points out. Hinsta is the latest development in our hybrid oilseed rape breeding programme, he adds.

“ It’s very much a modern oilseed rape variety and paves the way to a new generation of KWS oilseed rape that packages together the key traits of proven resilience, exceptional yield potential and outstanding hybrid vigour.

“That hybrid vigour is essential in helping a variety power through early season pest threats as well as helping plants get up and away after any adverse weather conditions over winter.”

New candidate variety

Another new variety KWS Domingos is also ticking all the boxes with an East/West recommendation, a high gross output of 109% and an oil content 45.9%, he adds.

“Currently a candidate variety, KWS Domingos contains essential built-in traits with a strong disease package including a 7 for light leaf spot and an 8 for phoma.

This is combined with vigorous autumn growth and a quick spring growth habit, says Mr Hannam.

“Our internal trials have also shown that in low nitrogen conditions, KWS Domingos has particularly strong nitrogen use efficiency, too,”he adds.

“Taking all this into account, KWS Domingos is an exciting variety to try this autumn – and one to watch in future.”