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 conditions in the field following planting often reduce field emergence compared to lab results. Some seed companies test seed for vigour, which measures the potential for rapid, uniform emergence and seedling development under sub-optimal conditions. Select seed that has received a germination and/or vigour test within 3–4 months prior to seeding. It is recommended to retain seed tags and a sample of seed following planting in case there are potential seed issues. Certified No.1 canola seed has a germination of 90% or greater and certified No. 2 has 80%–90% germination.
Seed Treatments
Certified seed is treated with fungicide and insecticide. The fungicide controls seed-borne and early-season soil-borne diseases, including blackleg, seed decay, damping-off and seedling blight. Insecticide seed treatments provide control of low to moderate populations of flea beetles that feed on young seedlings, however flea beetles are not a common pest of winter canola in Ontario. Insecticide seed treatments that control cutworms are recommended in growing regions where cutworm is a common pest. Insecticide seed treatments do not provide protection from slugs. Fungicide seed treatments do not provide protection against clubroot.