The crop that just keeps giving

[Hjwise]

As our rape is dying off a lot of the pods are blackening with grey looking seeds inside. Mainly upper pods which are now shedding their seeds. What the cause? What should I have done?

 

[DrWazzock]

Sclerotinia, white stem lesions, black inside cutting off supply to canopy?
Cabbage stem flea beetle larvae doing the same?
Drought, poor rooting?
A combination of the above. This year take your pick.

 

[Hjwise]

I’ll have a look for Sclerotinia, I must admit that I didn’t spray for it this year as it was bone dry right up until the end of flowering. Not a spray that I’ll be missing in future.

 

[DrWazzock]

I’ll have a look for Sclerotinia, I must admit that I didn’t spray for it this year as it was bone dry right up until the end of flowering. Not a spray that I’ll be missing in future.

Verticillium wilt?

 

[Hjwise]

I’m sure it’s the larvae damaged stems that have died off, just surprised at how dark they have gone. Maybe a flowering fungicide would have kept disease at bay and given the crop a better appearance, but I would still have lost these pods anyway?