Species-specific RNA sprays, when applied as a topical formulation, can suppress sclerotinia infection in canola. Field tests in 2022, hampered by heavy rain and dsRNA applications without a surfactant, did not show strong results for the treatments. “Protection of canola from pathogenic fungi using Ribonucleic acid (RNA) interference technologies,” Steve Whyard, University of Manitoba AgriScience...

Recommendations from this large study include apply 130-147 lb./ac. of nitrogen in the Black soil zone and 76-89 lb./ac. in the Brown soil zone. This is a balance between canola yield, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and maximum economic returns. “Improving nitrogen use efficiency and soil sustainability in canola production across Canada,” Bao-Luo Ma, Agriculture and...

Total plant nitrogen uptake (i.e. in the leaves, stems, straw and seed) of the old rapeseed and canola varieties was actually just as good as modern hybrids, they just don’t have as much seed to pack the nitrogen into as the high-yielding hybrids. Modern canola hybrids do have superior ability to utilize ammonium fertilizer. “Making...

Secondary dormancy is like a deep sleep for seeds, extending their life in the soil and increasing their weedy nature. Canola tends to have strong secondary dormancy, which is why volunteer canola can often germinate years after harvest. The goal is to find the genes responsible, and breed them out or turn them off. Weeding...

This research on hairy canola (to deter flea beetle feeding) will provide canola breeders with B. napus lines that produce hairs, as well as genetic markers to allow this trait to be introduced into canola varieties. “Genetic resources for flea beetle resistance in canola,” Dwayne Hegedus, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Saskatoon AgriScience Program (Canola Cluster)...