Phosphate fertilizer is a major input cost for canola production. Researchers with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada conducted a three-year study (2008-2010) at two locations in Western Manitoba to evaluate the effect of various enhanced efficiency P fertilizers on seedling toxicity, yield and quality of canola.

Canola emergence is often only in the range of 40-60% even though high quality seed is planted. The objective of this study conducted in small plots and field scale strip trials across western Canada in 2011 and 2012 was to determine the effect of various seed drill opener types and ground speeds on resulting canola emergence in the Canadian prairies.

Researchers conducted a broad three-year project to evaluate improved practices for S and P management in canola. Under the project four main studies were conducted in 2010, 2011 and 2012 in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.

Researchers developed and tested a proof of concept for a rapid farm-level detection test for blackleg disease as a potential method for predicting resistance or susceptibility to uncharacterized L. maculans isolates present in the field.

Clubroot in canola is a destructive soilborne disease that spreads mainly via contaminated soil carried from field to field by equipment.

Researchers from across western Canada initiated a five-year project in 2007 to study key insect pest species across the Prairie Ecosystem, as well as monitor potential new invasive species and their natural enemies.

Researchers with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at Swift Current, Saskatchewan conducted a three-year project to evaluate canola and other crucifer cultivars for food and bio-diesel fuel production on saline lands.

Producers are growing canola with much higher oil content compared to 10 years ago. Current recommendations for safe storage of canola are based on previous lower oil content varieties.

Root maggots, principally the cabbage maggot, have increased in incidence and damage severity in canola in all three Prairie Provinces. Currently, estimates of average annual losses from root maggot damage range from $20 million to $75 million; in years of severe infestation, losses may reach $100 million.

Crucifer-feeding flea beetles, principally Phyllotreta cruciferae (crucifer flea beetle) and P. striolata (striped flea beetle) are the most economically damaging insect pests of canola on the Canadian prairies.

Given the extreme wet conditions in Southeast Saskatchewan during the seeding season of 2011, producers attempted to use innovative ways of seeding their canola.

Canola can be significantly affected by diseases such as sclerotinia stem rot, blackleg and alternaria black spot resulting in loss of crop productivity and quality.

Traditionally swathing is recommended for napus canola over straight-combining because of the risks of yield loss due to shattering.

Blackleg is a serious disease of canola caused by the fungal pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans. A number of different sources of partial resistance genes (Rlm) to blackleg disease have been identified and characterized in several Brassica napus cultivars.

In a previous study (Project Code: CARP2006-02) AAFC researchers determined the race structure of Leptosphaeria maculans, the species responsible for the most damaging symptoms of blackleg of canola in Canada.

It is well known that a contact herbicide such as Liberty is less effective on hard-to-wet weeds such as wild oat or cleavers. Wild oat control can be improved by tank-mixing with a Group 1 graminicide; however, there are no tank-mixes that will improve control of cleavers.

Producers have noted much more severe infestations of seedling blight and root rot in canola fields. Researchers conducted both field and greenhouse studies from 2007 to 2010 to identify the organisms associated with the increased incidence of root rot in hybrid canola crops, and to determine how to optimize cultural methods to reduce the impact of seedling blight and root rot on canola seedling populations and on plant yield.

Previous research conducted from the 2007 to 2009 by the Richardson’s Ground Squirrel (RGS) (RGS; Spermophilus richardsonii) Research Program in search of effective and socially acceptable toxicants, has provided a greater understanding of ground squirrel populations and control methods.

Herbicide tolerant (HT) canola was introduced in Western Canada in 1995 through an identity preserved production and marketing system, with unrestricted commercial production beginning in 1997. The subsequent adoption was relatively rapid, with 26% in the initial year, 78% by 2002 and 95% by 2007.

In 2009, weather conditions during the cropping season delayed canola development and fall harvest into October and November.