Runner

Adaptability, yield & climate change resilience: Runner hybrids set to transform oilseed rape production Farmers know that every growing season brings new challenges. Now, however, a changing and increasingly erratic climate means successful oilseed rape production is more challenging than ever. Increasingly frequent summer droughts are making it difficult to plant winter oilseed rape at the right time, while scorching heat at flowering threatens pod development and ultimate yield. For growers in some southern European regions, these conditions have turned traditional winter oilseed rape farming into a gamble. One entirely new solution is Rapool’s new Runner hybrid segment, the first-ever cross between winter and spring oilseed rape to reach commercialization in Europe.

 
 Dr. Carsten Oertel, head of the oilseed rape breeding department of RAPOOL/DSV

 

“The Runner segment was created as a solution to the increasingly extreme and unpredictable conditions farmers face today,” says Runner’s lead researcher, Dr. Carsten Oertel, head of the oilseed rape breeding department at DSV. “Our aim was to create a new kind of hybrid — a hybrid that closes the gap between spring and winter oilseed rape by allowing farmers to grow high-yielding oilseed rape in regions where growing a winter crop is getting more and more difficult.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What makes Runner hybrids different?

 

Runner hybrids combine the best traits of winter and spring oilseed rape, delivering a powerful mix of adaptability, resilience, and productivity, including:

  • Greater planting flexibility: Runner hybrids grow faster in the early spring than conventional winter oilseed rape. Runner hybrids planted even two to three weeks later than preferred winter oilseed rape seeding time will beat late-seeded winter oilseed rape to harvest.
  • Less vernalization required: Runner hybrids require about two weeks of cold — approximately half as much as conventional winter oilseed rape — to transition from vegetative to reproductive growth. This makes them more adaptable to warming and inconsistent winters, and allows an earlier start in the spring.
  • Better nutrient efficiency: Runner hybrids’ shorter growing season means nutrients are used to support yield rather than plant longevity.
  • Strong disease resistance and resilience: Runner hybrids carry the same resistance genes (including against turnip yellows virus, phoma and light leaf spot) as high-performance winter oilseed rape hybrids. Additionally, since they are sown later and develop faster, Runner hybrids could be less exposed to diseases that take time to establish, like verticillium wilt.
  • Reduced heat stress: Runner hybrids reach flowering and pod formation approximately two weeks earlier than conventional winter oilseed rape, potentially avoiding the extreme temperatures and drought increasingly common even in early summer.
  • More harvest options: Runner’s early harvestability may enable an extended harvest window, depending on other crops grown, and/or greater opportunity to grow a “catch crop” or double crop. Runner hybrids also carry pod shatter resistance, supporting greater harvest flexibility. 
  • High yield: Similar to winter oilseed rape, Runner hybrids out-yield spring varieties by about 20%. “As a plant breeder, one is a mix of a scientist and an explorer. To feel and see that the work of our team is bringing something new and really profitable to farmers, that is the very best feeling in the world,” says Oertel .

 

 Standard variety on the left, Runner variety on the right (internal trial in Scanteia, Romania 21st of May 2024)
 Runner variety (internal trial in Kujavy, Czech Republic, 3rd of April 2024)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Performance in the Field

 Dörte Göckede, International Productmanager RAPOOL

 

The first Runner hybrid to market is FANGIO CL, launching in Hungary this year. More Runner hybrids are already in the R&D pipeline, focused on the southeastern European marketplace..

FANGIO CL has undergone extensive testing both by Rapool and through the Hungarian National Variety Office, with small plot trials running for three years. The results have exceeded expectations.

“Even when grown using conventional winter oilseed rape management, which isn’t optimized for a winter-spring hybrid’s unique needs, FANGIO CL outperformed winter oilseed rape varieties,” Dörte Göckede, Product Manager International at Rapool, says. “With optimized agronomic practices, we expect Runner hybrids to meet or even exceed the performance of late-seeded, high-yielding winter oilseed rapes.” 

 

 

 

Best Practices for Growing Runner Hybrids

 

To maximize success with Runner hybrids, farmers must fine-tune their agronomic practices:

 

 

Optimize Sowing Density 

Runner hybrids should be sown at a slightly higher rate than conventional winter oilseed crops. “The recommendation, though it depends on timing and conditions, is to plant 50-60 seeds/m2,” Göckede says. “If the sowing date is on the later side — and that specific date depends on region — planting rate should increase to about 70 seeds/m2.”

 

 

Nitrogen Timing is Crucial

Because they are very nutrient efficient, Runner hybrids may require less fertilizer than their conventional winter oilseed cousins. However, timing is critical. In order to achieve strong early-season growth, they require access to nutrients earlier than would a conventional winter oilseed variety. Calcium-ammonium-nitrate (CAN) combined with sulphur is recommended. 
“If you plan to apply, say, 140 kilograms of nitrogen per hectare in total, I suggest apply 70-80% of this total amount on the first application before the vegetation period starts, and the rest before the plants start to elongate,” Göckede says.

 

 

Keep a Watchful Eye on Crop Staging

Runner hybrids’ rapid progression through growth stages means they may require specific inputs earlier than a farmer anticipates. Therefore, it’s critical to be vigilant about scouting, particularly for pests like stem weevils and pollen beetles. The crop requires at least one fall application of growth regulator at the 4-leaf-stage.

 

 

A Significant Step Forward

 

The launch of Runner hybrids marks a major step towards adapting oilseed rape cultivation to a changing climate. “This is not the one and only solution, but it’s certainly a piece of the puzzle,” Göckede says. “Farmers who are curious, hands-on, and eager to try new techniques will be the first to see the benefits of these hybrids.”

The future of resilient, high-yielding oilseed rape starts here.

 

Summary

RAPOOL’s new Runner hybrids offer an innovative solution for oilseed rape cultivation under increasingly unpredictable climate conditions. As the first commercial cross between winter and spring oilseed rape, they combine high yield potential, early maturity, reduced vernalization needs, and strong resilience to late sowing and heat stress. The first variety, FANGIO CL, delivers up to 20% higher yields than spring types and is ideal for drought-prone regions. Runner hybrids provide greater flexibility and climate resilience — a forward-looking development for stable oilseed rape production across Europe.

 

FAQ: Runner Hybrids – A New Generation of Oilseed Rape

Runner hybrids are the first-ever combination of winter and spring oilseed rape to be commercialized in Europe. They unite the strengths of both types, giving farmers greater adaptability, resilience, and yield under increasingly unpredictable climate conditions.

Key advantages include:

 

  • Flexible sowing time – Can be sown 2–3 weeks later than winter oilseed rape and still reach harvest earlier.
  • Lower vernalization needs – Require only about two weeks of cold, making them more adaptable to mild winters.
  • Efficient nutrient use – Shorter growth cycle focuses nutrients on yield, not longevity.
  • Strong disease resistance – Carry the same resistance genes as high-performance winter hybrids, with potentially less exposure to late-season diseases.
  • Reduced heat stress – Flower and set pods earlier (at least 10 days earlier compared to normal winter oilseed rape), often before summer heat peaks.
  • Harvest flexibility – Early maturity, pod shatter resistance, and potential for double cropping or catch crops.

Farmers in regions with increasingly erratic climate conditions, short winters, or high summer heat will see the greatest advantages. Growers open to adapting their agronomy and trying innovative approaches are most likely to benefit.

The first commercial Runner hybrid is SCHUMACHER and FANGIO CL (Clearfield variety) available. More Runner hybrids are in development.

  • Seeding rate: 50–60 seeds/m²
  • Nitrogen (autumn): Late N application possible under fertilizer regulations, similar to winter oilseed rape, but usually not required due to rapid juvenile growth. (Nevertheless, our internal results indicate that applying stabilized urea as a late depot fertilization in autumn can have a very positive impact on yield. Further tests are running.)
  • Nitrogen (spring): Apply a strong first dose; splitting often not necessary.
  • Crop monitoring: Fast development requires early scouting for pests (e.g. stem weevils, pollen beetles).
  • Growth regulation: At least one autumn application at 4-leaf stage recommended.

The optimum sowing window for RUNNER hybrids is around two weeks later than for conventional winter oilseed rape. Internal trials and demo plots have shown that even when sown a further two weeks beyond this optimum, RUNNER varieties maintained stable yield performance. Ongoing trials will further refine the sowing window. Key requirement: Plants must reach at least 6 true leaves before winter to ensure secure overwintering.

  • Increase seed rate by +10–20% vs. normal.
  • Shallow drilling (2–3 cm) into moisture to ensure fast emergence (avoid deep sowing).
  • Good seed-to-soil contact through consolidation and fine seedbed structure.
  • After emergence, every day counts for youth development before winter. Avoid herbicide applications under stress conditions, but monitor volunteers, weeds and pests closely.
  • Late sowing often comes with lower disease and pest pressure, but tolerance margins are smaller — monitor especially for flea beetle and slugs.
  • Support growth with nutrients:
    • P: critical for root development in cool soils (starter P if possible).
    • N: small starter dose in autumn (if permitted).
    • S & B, Mg: support healthy early growth and leaf development.

Not automatically. Decide based on crop condition in early spring, not just on sowing rate.

Checklist:
  • Plant density: normal / slightly higher / much higher
  • Stem thickness: sturdy / thin
  • Crop height: normal / advanced
  • Lodging susceptibility of the variety: low / medium / high
  • Weather forecast: calm / stormy-wet

If two or more factors indicate higher risk, plan a PGR at early stem elongation (BBCH 30–32).

The use of growth regulation measures can also be advisable if there is a risk of fluctuating or late frost.

  • RUNNER hybrids reach maturity at least 10 days earlier than standard winter oilseed rape varieties.
  • Yield formation is completed earlier, enabling earlier harvest and providing greater flexibility.

  • Yes, but usually only a few days earlier.
  • In general, it is better to respect the optimum sowing window (2–3 weeks later than conventional winter oilseed rape).

  • Yes, the principles are the same for hybrids and normal winter oilseed rape.
  • Flowering fungicide strategy depends more on disease pressure than on variety.
  • Strobilurins (e.g. azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin) have a “greening effect”, which can delay ripening if used intensively or very late in flowering.
  • In balanced programs (azole/SDHI/strobilurin mixes), they protect yield without major harvest delays.
  • Best flowering application: early–mid flowering (BBCH 61–65) with a strong sclerotinia-active product and good spray coverage (300 l/ha).

  • 10–20% lower compared to normal winter oilseed rape.
  • Ongoing trials will further refine optimal N recommendations.

  • Missing the early nitrogen application can reduce biomass and yield potential.
  • A late N application does not automatically delay ripening, but very high late doses can prolong maturity.
  • It is usually better to accept a small yield penalty from a missed early split than to risk delayed harvest through excessive late N.

Official and internal trials show that the yield level of RUNNER varieties is comparable to leading winter oilseed rape hybrids.

Source: NEBIH, official trial results harvest 2025, *sowing date autumn 2024

Oil content is variety dependent, but in general comparable to conventional winter oilseed rape.