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…
Weeds
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We’ve had reports this week of growers causing unexpected damage to canola because the sprayer was not cleaned properly. The ideal tank cleaner has a detergent, a surfactant and a component to increase pH (i.e. ammonia) in one formulation. The detergent will cut any oils or fats found in current adjuvants, the pH increaser solubilizes the Group 2 herbicides and…
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Spraying late or at higher-than-label rates can reduce canola profits. AAFC research showed an advantage of 3 bu./ac. for controlling weeds at the 1-2 leaf stage of canola versus the 3-4 leaf stage, and a 7 bu./ac. advantage when applied early versus the 6-7 leaf stage. At $12 per bushel, that early control provides $36 to $84 per acre more…
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Applications made when cool cloudy days follow cool nights will result in lower herbicide efficacy than applications made in warm sunny days. Cloudy days don’t provide the photosynthetic activity required for many herbicides, including Group 10 glufosinate. And nights near freezing followed by days with highs that barely reach 10 C will not provide high metabolic activity required for best…
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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…
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When spraying for weeds it may be economical to add an insecticide or fungicide to the tank mix to hit any insects or disease (blackleg) that may be present at the same time. However, consider these four issues before proceeding: 1. Is the tank mix supported by the product manufacturers? (See the next article for more on this.) 2. Be…
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Growers must take extra precaution with any tank mix that is not identified and approved on the product label. The risks with off-label tank mixes include but are not limited to: —Damage to the crop —Antagonism or other reduction in control of one or more of the labelled pests —Residues in excess of the limits of those set for the…