January 9, 2014
Rotation between canola crops has known benefits for management of blackleg, clubroot and root maggot and an overall improvement in canola yield. A one-year break between canola crops provides a clear yield advantage over back to back canola, according to crop insurance data. A two-year break improves on blackleg management when compared to a one-year break. (The graph above is…
July 31, 2013
Some canola fields are exhibiting missing or stunted pods at the top or middle of stems. Pods in some fields have been described as green on the ends and translucent in the middle. The most likely cause is environmental. The few days above 30°C in early July would certainly cause flower abortion, and the hormone response to a couple days…
June 26, 2013
Wet soils cause an oxygen deficiency, which reduces root respiration and growth. Root failure reduces nutrient uptake, and plants will eventually die unless drowned areas dry out quickly. A few days in waterlogged soil can be enough to kill canola plants, and yield loss is certain — although as canola plants age, they tend to be more resilient…
June 12, 2013
If plant counts are lower than you expected based on your seeding rate, taking time now to figure out why will help fix the problem for next year. Use the Canola Diagnostic Tool to help. While scouting, look for the following, which will help with the diagnosis:…
June 12, 2013
Early season hail rarely has an impact on canola yield potential. Hailed seedlings usually come back very well. If hail breaks off both cotyledons or snaps the stem, these plants usually do not survive. But even in these severe cases, while individual plants may die, a whole canola crop is fairly resilient to early season hail when it comes to…
June 5, 2013
There are no reliable solutions to crusting other than to wait for rain. Some growers have reseeded the worst sections of fields. A light harrowing might help if nothing has come through. Do a couple passes then assess whether canola seedlings are being ripped out of the ground. Harrowing too close to emergence can be harmful to a shallow seeded…
June 5, 2013
Heavy rains in the past week left some Prairie canola fields under water. Canola is quite susceptible to water logging and shows a yield reduction after only 2-3 days with wet feet. Wet soils cause an oxygen deficiency, which reduces root respiration and growth. Root failure reduces nutrient uptake, and plants will eventually die unless drowned areas dry out quickly…
June 3, 2013
Two key questions arise after a spring frost: 1. Did the crop survive? (Do I need to reseed?) 2. When can I resume weed control? It takes some time answer these questions, which is why waiting a couple days is important. How to answer them…
May 29, 2013
Many factors can cause a thin canola stand. Proper diagnosis is important for effective management. Here are common factors, with diagnosis tips for each. Use our new Canola Diagnostic Tool on your smart phone or tablet for help in the field. Watch the video at the top of this article for a tutorial on how to use the tool…
Return to Canola Council Home