How to Grow Rapeseed InVigor L130
Rapeseed InVigor L130
Brassica napus
vegetableInVigor L130 is a hybrid canola/rapeseed cultivar bred for high oil yield and agronomic performance in temperate climates. This spring-type variety produces seeds rich in oil content, primarily grown as a commercial oilseed crop for oil extraction and livestock feed. It combines disease resistance with reliable productivity across diverse growing conditions.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-7, adaptable to cooler temperate regions with proper management
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Growth Stages
Emergence & Seedling
2-3 weeksCotyledons emerge with characteristic oval seed leaves; first true leaves appear within 7-10 days. Plants are low-growing and vulnerable.
Ensure good seed-to-soil contact and adequate moisture. Monitor for flea beetles and other early pests. Thin seedlings to proper spacing if necessary.
Vegetative Growth & Rosette
4-6 weeksPlant develops multiple true leaves in a rosette pattern close to the ground. Stem elongation is minimal; leaf area expands significantly. Root system establishes deeply.
Provide balanced nitrogen fertilization. Manage weeds aggressively. Monitor for clubroot and other soil-borne diseases. Apply boron if deficiency symptoms appear (distorted leaves).
Stem Elongation & Bolting
3-4 weeksCentral stem rapidly elongates; height increases from 1-2 feet to 2-4 feet. Side branches form. Leaf arrangement shifts from rosette to alternate along stem.
Reduce nitrogen to avoid excessive vegetative growth that delays flowering. Provide consistent moisture. Scout for cabbage moths and other pests. Stake or support if wind is severe.
Flowering & Pod Development
3-4 weeksBright yellow flowers appear in a dense raceme at stem apex; flowers are small (4 petals, characteristic brassica form). Siliques (seed pods) develop from base upward. Plant height stabilizes.
Critical stage for water and nutrients—maintain consistent moisture. Pollination is essential; encourage pollinators. Monitor closely for pod-eating insects and disease. This stage determines final yield.
Seed Fill & Maturation
3-4 weeksPods fill with developing seeds; pods turn from green to brown/tan. Leaves yellow and begin to senesce. Moisture content in seeds decreases from ~40% to 8-12%.
Reduce irrigation if rainfall is adequate. Protect from late diseases. Monitor for shattering (pod splitting). Stop fungicide applications per label to allow safe harvest timing.
Common Pests
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Apply neem oil or pyrethrin sprays at seedling stage; use row covers; resistant varieties available; insecticidal soap for heavy infestations.
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Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) sprays; spinosad; neem oil; pheromone traps for monitoring; encourage natural parasitoids.
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Strong water spray; insecticidal soap; neem oil; pyrethrins; encourage ladybugs and lacewings.
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Crop rotation (4-year minimum); resistant varieties; avoid overhead irrigation; fungicide applications at early flowering if weather favors disease.
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Long crop rotations (7+ years away from brassicas); resistant varieties; raise soil pH above 7.0 if possible; avoid contaminated soil and equipment.
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Use disease-free seed; crop rotation; remove infected plant debris; resistant varieties; fungicide seed treatments.
Uses
Canola Oil Production
CulinaryInVigor L130 seeds are processed to produce canola oil (low-erucic acid, <2%), a premium cooking oil rich in unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids. The oil is used in food manufacturing, cooking, and as a base for margarine and salad dressings. [source]
Livestock Feed
CulinaryThe protein-rich seed meal remaining after oil extraction (rapeseed meal or canola meal) is a valuable high-protein livestock feed for cattle, poultry, and swine, containing 36-40% crude protein. [source]
Biofuel & Biodiesel
HouseholdCanola oil can be converted to biodiesel (fatty acid methyl esters, FAME), a renewable fuel alternative for diesel engines and heating oil, supporting sustainable energy systems. [source]
Industrial & Cosmetic Applications
HouseholdCanola oil is used in lubricants, hydraulic fluids, plasticizers, cosmetics, and personal care products due to its high proportion of oleic and linoleic acids. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe bright yellow rapeseed flowers are an important early-season nectar and pollen source for honeybees, wild bees, and other pollinators in temperate regions. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when pods are brown and brittle, and seeds rattle in pods. Moisture content should be 8-12%. Swath (cut and lay down) 7-10 days before combining to allow final moisture loss. Combine when seeds are hard enough to not dent with a thumbnail. Handle carefully to minimize shattering and seed damage.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Rapeseed/canola flowers produce up to 1-2 kg of nectar per hectare, making rapeseed crops a significant honey source in Europe and North America; a single rapeseed field can support thousands of bees.
- 🌱 The term 'canola' was coined in Canada in the 1970s from 'Canada oil, low acid' to distinguish modern low-erucic acid varieties from traditional high-erucic rapeseed oil, which was unsuitable for human consumption.
- 🌱 Rapeseed has been cultivated for over 4,000 years, originally as a source of lamp oil in ancient China and India; it became a major commercial crop only after the development of high-yield hybrid varieties like InVigor L130 in the late 20th century.
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