Estimation des pertes à la récolte du colza d’hiver (Brassica napus) dans des conditions variées

Oilseed rape seed loss during harvest can cause subsequent unwanted gene flow and thus give raise to management difficulties in order to keep segmented different productions. Furthermore, seed loss reduces benefits of producers. This loss was evaluated in different conditions and trials carried out in three French regions from 2002 to 2004. Seed loss was divided into three categories : before harvest, under the cutter bar and behind the combine harvester. Total loss represented on average 8,2 % of the harvest for grain water content under 12 %. But this figure does not take an important variability into account. Indeed, an advanced cutter bar could reduce loss by 80 % and grain humidity at harvest plays an important part in the total loss level and its distribution. Before harvest low grain water content could make seed loss more sensitive to climatic events. Under the cutter bar, seed loss is inversely proportional to grain water content. On the contrary, it increases with grain water content behind the combine, due to loss in green siliquae. These studies can help improving advice to producers and contribute to improve gene flow models.