Science

Understanding the cellular mechanisms of clubroot disease and developing a new form of clubroot resistance

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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Science

Yield drops with fewer than five plants per square foot

Key Practice: Analysis of 35 canola seeding rate studies shows that hybrid canola can achieve its yield potential when at least five plants per square foot survive to harvest. Project Title, Lead Researcher: “Determining the economic plant density in canola,” 2009, Steve Shirtliffe, University of Saskatchewan Grower Organization Funder: ACPC, SaskCanola This meta-analysis of 35...
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Science

Night spraying outperforms dawn for weed management

On average, herbicides were most effective when applied in the daytime, and night spraying gave better results than dawn application.
Key practice: Midday herbicide applications are most effective for canola; midnight application for grassy weeds. Project title, Lead researcher: “Night spraying — Pesticide efficacy with night time application (2012-14),” Ken Coles, Farming Smarter Grower organization funder: ACPC Any reduction in herbicide efficacy quickly impacts the return on input investment. With the short Prairie growing season,...
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Science

An improved hybrid system for breeding canola Brassica juncea

Key practice: The Ogura cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) hybrid system, commonly used in B. napus, will position B. juncea breeders to produce more stress tolerant, blackleg resistant and pod shatter resistant high-yielding canola B. juncea hybrid varieties. Project title, Lead researcher: “Improving the Ogura CMS hybrid system and establishing heterotic gene pools for hybrid breeding...
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Science

Precise seed-to-seed spacing not necessary for canola

Key Practice: The key step in seed placement is to achieve the overall target population with some aspect of uniform distribution and depth. Precision tools to enhance seed spacing in the row provide little evident economic benefit. Project Title, Lead Researcher: “Seeding rates for precision seeded canola,” 2012-14, Gazali Issah, Western Applied Research Corporation Grower...
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