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CCC agronomy specialists are receiving reports of malformed flowers again in 2023. Symptoms include thin, sometimes crooked growth on the first raceme (main stem). Racemes that should be producing flowers and pods are delayed, with odd growth patterns around buds. We remain confident these symptoms, based on fields and samples inspected, are not the result of recent insect feeding. As in 2022, symptoms are not confined to any specific cultivar, herbicide system, seeding date or crop rotation.
When Canola Watch reported on these symptoms across Alberta and B.C. in 2022, consensus after field inspection and consultation with experts was that early season environmental stress resulted in a hormone imbalance. This caused the growing point(s) in canola plants to stop growing, producing abnormal racemes and sterile pods. In 2022, June moisture allowed canola to flower longer and recover from the hormonal effects of the cold, dry May.
In 2023, environmental conditions between seeding and flowering were much warmer than in 2022, with extremely dry conditions in many areas. Some regions experienced excessive moisture and even frost prior to flowering. These weather stresses likely triggered another hormone response.
What to do? We are not aware of any crop protection or fertilizer application that can alleviate these symptoms. Growers are encouraged to continue to actively manage their crop using economic thresholds for known pests, and use an expected return on investment to guide crop inputs.
Contact your local Canola Council agronomist if you are concerned with a flowering delay, particularly if you see a pattern or differences between your fields or growing areas.
