Abigail (Abbie) Wiesner is the interim Canola and Edible Bean Specialist for OMAFRA. She will be filling the role for the next year, until fall of 2023. Abbie has a completed a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences and is working on a Master’s degree focused on pest management of an invasive insect species. Along with […]
Many Ontario canola producers tank mix boron with a preventative white mould fungicide and apply it at 20-50% bloom. We took a closer look at whether foliar boron reduces flower abortion or improves yield. […]
Flowering has begun in many winter canola fields. Two key pests in winter canola at this growth stage are cabbage seedpod weevil (CSW) and white mould (a.k.a. Sclerotinia stem rot). These are also both pests of spring canola, and the management recommendations are the same for both types of canola. Cabbage Seedpod Weevil When to […]
Five canola specialists from outside the province were invited to join Ontario producers and agronomists and share their canola expertise in a series of online meetings held from February 9 to March 9, 2022.Those meetings were recorded and the videos are posted below. Each meeting starts with a presentation by the guest speaker (approx. 30 […]
At a recent virtual speaker series on canola topics, John Heard, Soil Specialist with Manitoba Ag, joined Ontario growers to answer questions on fertilizing canola. A canola crop needs 3 to 3.5 lbs of nitrogen (N) per bushel of grain produced. In spring canola production in Ontario, granular fertilizer is typically broadcast ahead of planting. […]
Vegetative/Reproductive Overwintering Growth resumes when average temperatures reach 5°C but will be slow until it is consistently warm. Leaves may have rotted off or be discoloured but the centre of the rosette should be green. Determine the population of healthy plants. 5 plants/ft2 or more is ideal. 3-4 plants/ft2 is acceptable. 1-2 plants/ft2 can be […]
Planting corn after a crop of canola is generally not recommended, and the reason why has to do with beneficial fungi living in the soil. However, some studies and anecdotal experience in Ontario have shown that this rotation is not always problematic. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Many crops we grow, including corn, have a symbiotic […]
Scouts and agronomists may put biosecurity measures in place with a certain disease or crop in mind, but should ensure protocols are in place each and every time you walk fields. Crops are grown in rotation, so the soil in corn fields may contain soybean cyst nematode and soil in wheat fields may contain clubroot […]
This article was written by Dwiti Mistry, Canola & Dry Bean Research Assistant The major canola insect Brassicogethes viridescens, or the pollen beetle, is of growing concern in Canada as it has the potential to significantly impact yield from canola crops. The pollen beetle is a known canola pest in Europe and has also been […]
Reproductive 10% flowering 10% flowering is when 10 flowers are open on the main stem. Flowering begins on the main stem, with the lowest buds opening first and flowering continuing upward. Three or more flowers open per day. At first flower the stem is 30-60% of its maximum height. Management: Monitor for cabbage seedpod weevil […]
Vegetative Emergence The hypocotyl pulls the cotyledons above the soil surface. The growing point is exposed between the two cotyledons. Management: Fertilizer in the seed row can injure seedlings, especially nitrogen and potassium. Apply up to 1/4 of total nutrient requirements pre-plant. Seed 0.5-1 inches deep, or a maximum of 1.5 inches into moisture. Broadcast […]
This article was written by Dwiti Mistry, Canola & Edible Bean Research Assistant Insect surveillance was conducted in winter canola in Ontario for the 2020-2021 season to monitor the type and number of insects that inhabit this crop. There were 13 fields surveyed in Wellington, Huron, Grey, Chatham-Kent and Middlesex counties. Sweeps were taken from […]
Canola will dry down naturally and can be harvested directly without the application of pre-harvest herbicides. If the field is weedy or canola stems are green, there may be value in applying a pre-harvest herbicide. Pre-harvest herbicides may assist with dry down but will not hasten maturity. Follow all herbicide label specifications. Canola must be […]
Ontario winter canola yields were very strong in 2020 giving us a good look at the incredible yield potential of the crop. Many producers reported yields over 3700 lb/ac and some watched their yield monitors jump over the 5000 lb/ac mark. The mild winter was likely a big part of that success, but Mother Nature […]
When spring arrives, winter canola growers will have to scout their fields and answer 3 questions before applying fertilizer: Is the canola alive? Does it have strong yield potential? What is the population of healthy plants? Scouting typically begins towards the end of March when plants start to green up. Assessments should be made after […]