Swede midge (Contarinia nasturtii) is a significant pest of spring canola in Ontario. Enzymes in the saliva of larvae break down plant tissue, resulting in swollen and distorted leaves, shoots and flower buds and can potentially prevent bolting. Swede midge can reproduce and cause injury in winter canola but because winter canola typically bolts and […]
Simple Summary– about two days after pollination, or a day after fertilization, corn silks degrade and detach from ovules (potential corn kernels) and provide the earliest indication of successful pollination/fertilization– the “shake test” – peeling back ear husks, giving it a tap and observing how many silks remain attached – can quickly provide an indication […]
Growth Rate and Days to Maturity Canola development is aligned with growing degree days (GDD) and the amount of sunlight captured. Canola grows best at temperatures between 10°C and 30°C, with an optimum of 18°C to 25°C. The average crop flowers 45 to 50 days (582–666 GDD) after emergence and matures in 90 to 96 […]
Most fertilizer for spring canola in Ontario is broadcast prior to planting. The high rates of nitrogen and sulphur required, as well as the seeding methods used, make it inconvenient and risky to apply fertilizer with the seed. Some Ontario producers split-apply nitrogen to improve nitrogen use efficiency by applying the second pass when canola […]
Field Selection Canola responds best when planted in well-drained soil with a minimum pH of 5.5. Fields with variable drainage and soil pH may have variable stands and yield. Spring canola is commonly grown on many different soil types in Ontario, including loams, clays and muck soils. Spring canola can suffer during dry periods in […]
Conventional Tillage Conventional tillage (i.e., mouldboard, chisel) is being replaced by lower disturbance, higher residue tillage systems on many farms. Fall primary tillage is preferred by some producers on clay or clay loam soils so that spring tillage establishes a suitable seedbed. However, keep spring secondary tillage to a minimum to preserve soil moisture, minimize […]
Seed as early as soil conditions permit. Canola will germinate and grow at soil temperatures of 2°C, but 10°C is ideal for rapid emergence. Sustained low soil temperatures have a detrimental effect on the seed embryo. Soil conditions and weather forecasts should guide your decision, however, 5°C or higher is a reasonable target for planting. […]
Row Width Ontario spring canola is commonly grown in 19 cm (7.5 in.) spacings. Row widths of 38 cm (15 in.) are also appropriate. Research conducted in Alberta indicates that row closure on 35.5 (14 in) cm row spacings may take a day or so longer than on narrow rows. Yield on 35.5 cm rows […]
Assessing Canola Stands The optimum plant stand is 202,000 to 344,000 plants/ac or 50 to 85 plants/m2 (5 to 8 plants/ft2). At the recommended seeding rate range of 80 to 120 seeds/m2 (320,000 to 485,000 seeds/ac), an emergence rate of approximately 60% will result in acceptable stands. Canola can yield strongly across a wide range […]
Variety Registration For seed to be legally sold in Canada, varieties of Brassica napus (canola and/or oilseed rape) must be registered with the Variety Registration Office under the authority of the Seeds Act. Candidate varieties are tested for certain merit criteria according to guidelines set by the various Canadian canola recommending committees. The Ontario Canola […]
Seed Quality Ensure the seed being planted is of high quality. Germination is the major seed quality consideration used in grading seed lots and certified seed must meet purity and germination standards. Germination standards test the ability of a seed lot to produce normal seedlings under favourable conditions of 95%–100% humidity and 25°C. Stress […]
Cereal rye (Secale cereale), also known as winter rye or rye – and not to be confused with annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) – is a hardy winter cereal that can be established later in the growing season than any other cover crop (Figure 1). It begins growing earlier in spring than other species and has […]
Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is a short-lived perennial legume with a long history of use as a green manure in Ontario. It establishes best when underseeded in a small grain crop (Figure 1), and Ontario research has found it to supply up a substantial nitrogen credit to its subsequent crop. Beyond its nitrogen fixation benefits, […]
Oats are a cool season cereal commonly grown as a cover crop either on their own (Figure 1) or as the base of mixtures. They establish quickly, grow rapidly, and typically die over winter. Oats provide benefits in terms of weed suppression, soil structure improvement, and as a harvested or grazed forage. They perform well […]
Learn how cover crops help to maintain soil quality and crop productivity. Introduction Cover crops play an important role in maintaining soil quality and productivity on Ontario farms. Traditionally, they have been associated with reducing soil erosion and adding organic matter to the soil. Indeed, they are very strong in these categories: according to the […]