Researchers identified causative genes that provide adult plant resistance (APR) to blackleg. This quantitative trait provides more durable canola resistance against the blackleg pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans, particularly when combined with major race specific (qualitative) resistance genes. “Overcoming blackleg disease in canola through establishment of quantitative resistance,” Hossein Borhan, Agriculture and Agri-Food, Canada Saskatoon SaskCanola Read...

Researchers use a precise CRISPR/Cas9 based genome editing tool to confer clubroot resistance (CR) by introducing site-specific mutations to disrupt, or inactivate, susceptibility (S) genes. “Establishing transgene-free CRISPR/Cas9 based genome editing platform to improve canola resistance against clubroot disease,” Wei Xiao, University of Saskatchewan SaskCanola, Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund Read the full report in the...

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...