Glenn: Enhancing Canola Emergence With Innovative Stubble Management Practices and Use of Crop Establishment Aids

Date: April 2013
Term:
2 years
Status: Completed
Researcher(s): Aaron Glenn, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Brandon MB, Paul Bullock, University of Manitoba, Herb Cutforth (AAFC Swift Current SK), Guy Lafond and William May, AAFC Indian Head SK
SaskCanola Investment: n/a
Total Project Cost: n/a
Funding Partners: n/a

Project Summary

Management of stubble height is an inexpensive crop management technique that can have a potentially beneficial impact on seedling germination and emergence. Researchers conducted trials at seven locations on the Canadian Prairies during 2011 and 2012 to investigate the potential influence of preceding spring wheat standing stubble height on the emergence and performance of subsequently seeded canola crops. The results showed no consistent significant effects of standing stubble height on canola emergence or disease pressure at any of the seven sites, although there were significant differences between sites and years, which may be mainly attributed to variation in weather conditions.

Management of stubble height is an inexpensive crop management technique that can have a potentially beneficial impact on seedling germination and emergence. It has potential to affect spring soil water levels via snow catch, and evaporation during the following growing season through its impact on ground surface wind speed and solar radiation. In arid climates, these modifications can increase water use efficiency and potentially increase yields, however, this technique has not been evaluated in less arid locations in the Prairie region.

Researchers from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), in collaboration with the University of Manitoba, conducted a three-year study at seven locations on the Canadian Prairies to investigate the potential influence of preceding spring wheat standing stubble height on the emergence and performance of subsequently seeded canola crops. The objectives of the study were to determine the impact of crop residue height and amount of straw on the soil surface on the establishment of canola when seeding between wheat stubble rows of differing heights. Researchers also wanted to determine if tall stubble would increase the risk of canola disease. A second trial was conducted at two locations to determine if there are any benefits to using a companion crop with canola to improve canola emergence.

In trial 1, experiments were conducted at four sites across the Prairies: Swan Lake (MB), Indian Head (SK), Swift Current (SK) and Grimshaw (AB) in 2011. Three additional sites were added in 2012, two in Alberta at Lethbridge and Falher, and one in Manitoba near Brandon. For the trials, the preceding spring wheat stubble was cut 20 cm short, 50 cm tall and/or harvested with a stripper header. Data collection included emergence counts, plant stand counts, final biomass weights and disease assessments.

The results from this first trial showed no consistent significant effects of standing stubble height on canola emergence or disease pressure at any of the seven sites. However, there were significant differences between sites and years, which may be mainly attributed to variation in weather conditions. Of the 11 site-years, the only significant stubble treatment effect observed was for the Grimshaw 2011 site, which had significantly higher yield in the tall stubble compared to short and stripper header stubble treatments.

During the 2011 and 2012 growing seasons, at some sites standing stubble had lodged over the winter and during the early spring creating some challenges, while seeding into tall stubble proved a challenge at other sites. Both of these factors influenced the results of the present study and likely contributed to the lack of significant findings. Proper equipment for seeding into tall stubble is important, and assessing the quality of the stubble in the spring and adjusting spring seeding strategies may be required if lodging has occurred.

The second trial was conducted at two Manitoba locations (Brandon in 2010, Morden 2011 and 2012). Hybrid canola was planted at 2 and 6 cm depths alone or with the following companion crops and at the following seeding rates:

Crop seeding rate seeds m2

Golden German Millet 400

Camelina 800

Canary seed 350

Flax 400

Companion crops were eliminated when the canola crop was at the 2-leaf stage. Canola emergence, biomass and seed yield data were measured for each plot.

Overall, the results from trial 2 showed a significant influence of companion crops on canola emergence, however, there was no effect on seed yield. When averaged over both seeding depths and all years, canola planted with camelina and Golden German millet companion crops had the same average yield as planting without a companion crop. In all years, Golden German millet had yields equal to planting without a companion crop at the 2 cm depth. When planted at 6 cm, yields with the Golden German millet check in 2010 and 2012 were 12 and 15% greater than the no companion crop and the 2 cm seeding depth check, but 15% lower in 2011. With the limited number of site-years under this study recommendations were difficult to make, but the data would suggest potential for further evaluation.

Full Report PDF: n/a

Other References to this Research Project

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Jayas: Feasibility of Bag Storage System for Canola Under Prairie Conditions

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Harker: Canola Sustainability - Risk Mitigation and Canola Sustainability All Phases Rotations