Potassium chloride (KCl-) replacements for chlorine uptake in canola

Term: 1 year
Status: Ongoing
Researcher(s): Jessica Enns, WARC; Chris Holzapfel, IHARF; Bryan Nybo, Amber Wall, WCA; Ashebir Tsedeke Godebo, ISask
SaskOilseeds Investment: $37,400
Total Project Cost: $37,400
Funding Partners: N/A

Objective

To identify and display new and different products used to apply potassium and chloride in Canola across the province.

Project Description

The use of KCl- fertilizers is widespread, and the most common source of Cl- for Saskatchewan producers. Chloride facilitates many important functions in the plant such as controlling water loss, maintaining turgor pressure and photosynthesis. There have been accounts of the addition of Cl- reducing the risk of some root rots and leaf diseases. Chloride also increases the transportation of K, Ca and Mg in the plant and can also impact nitrogen uptake. Some areas are extremely deficient in Cl- and may benefit from added Cl- in the plant. For example, the annual spring soil tests at Scott are always considered very deficient, this year testing 8 lbs/ac Cl- at 0-24” depths.

KCl-, 0-0-60, fertilizer can be harsh on equipment and cause unnecessary wear and tear. It is important to provide producers with strategies for managing Cl- deficiencies in canola that follow 4R practices and save the longevity of their equipment.

This is particularly important as there are not many Cl- products available for producers and choosing the correct solution is complicated. With the research previously stated, early-season and mid-season Cl- applications may create strong returns for producers on their canola.