Canola Digest Science 2014 Issue
Science

Target seven to 10 plants per square foot

Key practice: Target a population of at least seven plants per square foot to maintain yield potential for canola. This target will allow for some plant mortality due to post- seeding stresses without dropping below the minimum five plants per square foot required for canola yield potential. Key research: Leeson, Julia, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada...
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Science

Top dress if deficiencies are likely

Key practice: In Western Canada where the growing season is short, the ideal practice is to apply all fertilizer at the time of seeding. However, if shortages are expected or crops are showing deficiencies, soil-applied applications of nitrogen or sulphur fertilizer after emergence will likely provide an economic benefit. Key research: Guy Lafond, Agriculture and...
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Science

Harvest prep starts in the spring

Studies have found that lower harvest losses in canola are associated with higher yield potential, especially when straight combining. This could be attributed to the additional strategies high-yielding growers carry out earlier in the season, such as seeding early, early weed control and frequent field scouting.
Key practice: Reducing harvest losses starts with strong crop establishment, adequate fertilization, early weed control and frequent scouting. Key research: Liu, C., Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), et al. “Evaluation of On-Farm Crop Management Decisions on Canola Productivity.” Canadian Journal of Plant Science (2014). Watson, P.R., Alberta Research Council, et al. “Canola Harvest Management Study.”...
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Science

Aim for uniform stands

Key practice: Uniform stands, with the same number of plants per square foot across the field and with plants at the same growth stage, are proven to increase yields. Key research: Angadi, S.V., Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), et al. “Yield Adjustment by Canola Grown at Different Plant Populations under Semiarid Conditions.” Crop Science 43...
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Science

Potassium deficiency shows first in cereals

Potassium deficiency symptoms will show up in cereals well before it shows up in canola. As you can see in this photo, potassium deficiency in barley looks a lot like leaf diseases. Soil tests and tissue tests may help identify the problem.
Most canola crops grown in Western Canada are not short of potassium because most Prairie soils have sufficient potassium levels. Sandy soils with low clay content are most likely to be short of potassium, especially if those fields have been in forages where a large percentage of the biomass is removed each year. Cereals in...
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