What is pod shatter and what causes it?

Pod shatter is a natural process that plants use to disperse their ripe seeds. Typically seen in wild and weedy plant species it allows the parent plant to scatter the seeds over a greater distance, allowing new plants to grow without competing against the parent plant or each other.  

In commercial oilseed rape plants, pod shatter can still occur, so it is important to understand the causes and effects it can have.

In nature the seed pod will shatter when conditions are right for the seeds inside to germinate, grow and eventually reproduce. These conditions include changes in the weather, which result in changes to the seed pod.

In oilseed rape, you will generally see pod shatter after periods of wet then dry weather. The wet weather results in the pods swelling, and seeds ripening. When the weather then turns to become dry the pod starts to dry, which causes tension. If the tension becomes too great the pod will then explode dispersing the seeds. 

Pod shatter can also be caused during harvesting. The effect of a combine passing over pods with some tension already developing can cause the pods to shatter and lose seeds. 

Pod shatter in a commercial crop can lead to high seed losses, with yield down margins will also being affected. 

A crop affected by pod shatter may also have a knock-on effect on other crops surrounding it. As the seeds are scattered they may germinate in subsequent crops, or even along field edges. These volunteer OSR plants can provide the perfect green bridge for pests and diseases. 

The best way to lessen the chance of pod shatter, is to invest in a oil seed rape seed that has pod shatter resistance. Such as a LG fully loaded hybrid variety. 

If you have been effected by pod shatter in the past, or want to ensure a better yielding harvest this year, our experts are on hand to help.