The federal government’s $15 million investment in canola research through Growing Forward 2 combined with the canola industry’s $5 million contribution (which includes input from the canola grower organizations) is funding 23 research projects for five years. Here are short descriptions and progress reports for 15 agronomy projects on that list.
Key Practice: Struvite shows promise as a phosphorus-fertilizer source. This study shows that struvite recovered from hog manure can match yields compared to monoammonium phosphate and provides higher seed-placed safety. Project title, Lead Researcher: “Can slow-release monoammonium phosphate and struvite improve phosphorus use efficiency and reduce seedling toxicity in canola?” Francis Zvomuya, University of Manitoba...
Read More Key practice: Taking action to manage glyphosate-resistant kochia before it is visible in the field is critical to success. Use a rotation of broadleaf control products with good activity on kochia. Project title, Lead researcher: “Glyphosate-resistant kochia (Kochia scoparia L. Schrad.) in Saskatchewan and Manitoba,” 2013-14, Hugh Beckie, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Grower organization...
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Key Practice: L. maculans, the fungal pathogen that causes blackleg in canola, can produce a mycotoxin called sirodesmin PL, but this study found none of it in Alberta canola samples. Project Title, Lead Researcher: “Evaluation of the toxicity of the secondary metabolites produced by Leptosphaeria maculans,” 2012-14, Xiujie (Susie) Li, Alberta Innovates — Technology Futures...
Read More Key practice: Rather than using genetically resistant varieties or the application of soil amendments and fungicides, this study is working to develop a new, alternative approach to clubroot resistance by silencing pathogen gene expression within the plant itself. Project title, Lead researcher: “Genomics of Clubroot disease development in canola and development of in-plant RNAi to...
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