Canola is dry at 10% moisture but for long-term storage, seed moisture should be 8%–9%. The small seed size and high oil content results in rapid heating of stored canola. Heating in storage causes ‘heat damaged seed’ that has higher free fatty acids and rancidity problems. Heated seed can result in rejection by end users […]
A pre-harvest herbicide application is not required, and the crop can dry down naturally. The use of a herbicide does not hasten canola maturity but can facilitate direct harvest by drying down weeds and canola plants more quickly and evenly. Green plant material moving through the combine may cause harvest losses, and ease of harvest […]
Direct combining is the most common method of harvest in Ontario, followed by swathing, which still occurs in some areas. Direct combining usually results in improved seed quality compared to swathing, due to fewer fines and less green seed. Direct harvesting is most successful when the crop ripens evenly, is heavy, relatively free of Alternaria […]
Swathing is less common in Ontario than harvesting directly and is primarily conducted in Northern Ontario. Swathing may be beneficial in short-season areas or where a producer has a lot of canola acres to harvest because of the opportunity to harvest earlier. Swathing may offer more complete dry-down of plants and may be preferred on […]
Canola is dry at 10% moisture but for long-term storage, seed moisture should be 8%–9%. The small seed size and high oil content results in rapid heating of stored canola. Heating in storage causes ‘heat damaged seed’ that has higher free fatty acids and rancidity problems. Heated seed can result in rejection by end users […]
There is a high risk of white mould infection in both spring and winter canola in Ontario. Ideal canola-growing weather can create a thick, tall canopy that is often moist and humid, which is ideal for white mould development. A preventative fungicide application during flowering has good return on investment in Ontario. Life Cycle White […]
Clubroot is a significant disease of canola in Western Canada and has been found in multiple fields and regions in Ontario. Once clubroot is established in a field it cannot be eradicated. Symptoms include galling of roots leading to wilting, stunting and yellowing of plants. Yield loss can range from 0-100% in areas of fields […]
Slugs are a pest of both winter and spring canola. Their severity is influenced by crop residue; slugs shelter in residue and cause damage in no-till fields or areas of tilled fields that have residue on the surface. Damage has more often been observed in winter canola, likely because there is a greater appetite for […]
Flea beetles are a common early season pest of spring canola. Both crucifer and striped flea beetle are very common and are observed in Ontario every year. Flea beetle feeding causes leaf area loss that may result in plant death during seedling stages. Canola should be monitored for flea beetle activity from the time of […]
Cabbage seedpod weevil is a pest of both spring and winter canola. High risk fields include the most advanced in an area and in areas that had a warm, open fall and mild winter. Cabbage seedpod weevil (Ceutorhynchus obstrictus) adults feed on flower buds but economic damage is caused by larvae feeding on seeds inside […]
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 […]
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 […]