canola - Canadian Agronomist

13 May Investigating canola plant density and flea beetle control

Posted at 15:49h in Insects

Canola yield increased with increasing plant stand no matter flea beetle density, flea beetle control methods or geographic regions. Insecticide seed treatment and foliar spray at threshold level produced similar yield. Flea beetles are a perennial pest issue on the Canadian Prairies. Insecticide-coated canola seed, primarily...

21 Apr Predicting future cabbage seedpod weevil impacts

Posted at 21:21h in Insects

Bioclimate simulation models were used to understand how abiotic factors affect canola yield and cabbage seedpod weevil distribution and abundance. Cabbage seedpod weevil (Ceutorhynchus obstrictus) was introduced to North America from Europe, and was first collected in the Canadian Prairies in southern Alberta in 1995. The...

02 Apr Factors influencing flea beetle damage

Posted at 17:03h in Insects

Flea beetle feeding damage was similar for striped and crucifer species. Carabid and spider predators helped to reduce feeding damage, especially at low plant populations. Feeding damage increased as temperatures increased, while less damage was observed at higher plant populations. Striped and crucifer flea beetles are...

05 Feb Crop biotechnology contributes to climate change mitigation

Posted at 22:38h in Agronomy

This literature analysis concludes that GM crops provide benefits that contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation. The analysis also shows that innovative crop biotechnology products are capable of making important sustainability contributions, including to reduce GHG emissions, increase carbon sequestration, improve food security, and...

28 Jan Tight crop rotations reduce canola yields

Posted at 21:59h in Agronomy

Crop rotations significantly influence canola yields, showing a 7.5% yield reduction in continuous canola rotations compared to canola grown after a cereal crop. Conversely, canola yields increased by 3.8% when grown after lentils and 4.7% after peas compared to canola grown after a cereal crop. In...

16 Dec Intercropping systems in western Canada

Posted at 22:23h in Agronomy

A review of intercropping systems in western Canada over the last 40 years shows that intercropping has a critical role to play in a more sustainable agriculture that optimizes producers' profit. The review found that over 60% of small plot combinations were pulse-oilseed combinations and...

18 Nov Lime for clubroot management

Posted at 22:41h in Disease

Fall application of Zero Grind limestone performed similar to spring applied hydrated lime. Generally, both products applied at 10 t/ha increased soil pH, reduced disease severity, increased yield and reduced spore density of P. brassicae in the soil. Clubroot, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae Wor., is well...

15 Oct Optimizing canola production

Posted at 17:17h in Agronomy

For both early- and late-maturing hybrids, straight-cutting canola at 10% seed moisture produced high, stable yields. While seeding at 18 seeds/ft2 produced the highest yield, it also had the lowest net returns due to high seed costs. Seeding at 12 seeds/ft2 provided a balance between...

22 Jul Strip tillage and precision planting of canola

Posted at 16:29h in Agronomy

When strip tillage was combined with a disc-hoe opener, a high and stable canola yield was achieved. No-till improved water conservation and helped to mitigate yield losses in rainfed conditions of southern Alberta. Strip tillage has been adopted for planting crops in wider row spacing because...

05 Feb What do Lygus like to eat?

Posted at 20:29h in Insects

Safflower and sunflower demonstrated potential as trap crops to reduce Lygus damage to faba beans. The Lygus pest complex in the Canadian Prairies is dominated by L. lineolaris, L. keltoni, L. elisus, and to a lesser extent, L. borealis. While Lygus have a broad host range,...