The Effect of Insecticides on Pest Control and Productivity of Winter and Spring Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.)

Abstract

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) is an important crop for food industry, bio-fuel industry and as a rotation plant in many countries (Williams, 2010). In Lithuania, oilseed rape is also one of the most promising crops. According to Lithuanian department of statistics, at the end of 2010, oilseed rape was cultivated on an area of 255 957 ha, of which spring rape accounted for 63.9% (163 600 ha) (Lithuanian Department of Statistics). Various pests attack oilseed rape at different time and damage different plant parts (Williams, 2004). In Europe, chemical insecticides are usually used for pest management in oilseed rape crops and application of insecticides is still an integral part of insect pest management in this crop (Cook et al., 2004). Insecticides are used routinely and prophylactically independent of pest incidence. Insecticides are applied in oilseed rape crop several times during the plant vegetation. One of the most important targets for applying insecticides is a substantial seed yield increase (Williams, 2004).