At the heart of oilseed rape breeding

The underlying conditions for agriculture in general and oilseed rape cultivation in particular are changing. While pests and diseases are on the rise, regulations on the use of pesticides are becoming increasingly stricter. Combine this with predicted increases in extreme weather events as well as the need to ensure adequate food supplies and achieve business objectives, it is clear that farmers are faced with a number of conflicting demands. KWS’s breeding programs in France and Germany show how successful breeding advances can reduce the use of resources and make crops more resistant.

Dr. Andreas Gertz is really pleased. The reason for the senior oilseed rape breeder’s delight may look a little strange to the untrained eye. There are large funnels hanging in a contraption above liquid-filled cups. In these cups, you can see larvae. It is the small number of insects that he has detected using the Berlese funnel method (see info graphic) that makes Andreas Gertz so happy – because the presence of fewer larvae means that the breeders have fulfilled their task. After all, the small and seemingly harmless creatures swimming in the liquid inside the cups are one of the biggest enemies of oilseed rape: The larvae later develop into cabbage-stem flea beetles. Despite their name, they have nothing to do with fleas, but are normal beetles that rank among the pests that KWS’s oilseed rape breeders seek to control.

Andreas Gertz knows a lot about the merits of oilseed rape. He has been working for KWS since 2002 and is now responsible for the continental oilseed rape breeding program. As an important part of the crop rotation between cereal crops, oilseed rape offers great advantages in terms of soil quality and subsequent crops. Its dense growth of leaves suppresses weeds, prevents the field from drying out too much and protects the soil from erosion. In addition, oilseed rape is not only useful from an ecological point of view, but also offers many advantages as a crop. “Oilseed rape can be used to produce both vegetable oil for human consumption and biofuel. What’s more, protein-rich oilseed rape meal can be fed to cattle, ensuring that the protein in their feed comes from regional sources,” explains Gertz.

Excellent genetics provide natural protection

As with other plants, the challenge when breeding oilseed rape is that the mechanisms developed only offer selective protection. What works against one species of beetle has little effect on another. This makes the search for solutions more complex. Andreas Gertz has dedicated himself to this intensive search for solutions while keeping a realistic view of the pest situation: “The cabbage-stem flea beetle is a serious problem for plants.” Effective seed treatment solutions for the problem of adult beetles infesting leaves in summer are still in their infancy. Although such infestations are rare in Germany, Gertz reports having seen massive damage in the UK, France and Poland. “So far, no genetic material has been found that allows oilseed rape to develop resistance or tolerance to the adult insect,” explains Gertz, adding that ongoing breeding programs are still in the early stages.

However, thanks to its extensive breeding expertise and foresight, KWS has succeeded in developing what it calls InsectPROTECT varieties, which offer strong genetic protection against the second round of damage caused by the larvae. Three varieties in particular – namely FELICIANO KWS, KWS DEMOS and KWS AMBOS – have shown themselves to be superior to comparable varieties, exhibiting up to 30% less infestation by cabbage-stem flea beetle larvae. The plants thus enjoy natural protection. With InsectPROTECT, KWS is currently the only breeding company in the world to offer varieties that demonstrably reduce the number of larvae.