The outer surfaces of land plants are covered by a complex water-repelling material referred to as cuticular wax. This layer plays a fundamental role in prevention of water loss from the plant and in defense against attack by insect pests and fungal pathogens.
The canola flower midge Contarinia brassicola Sinclair (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is a newly-described species that induces galls on canola, Brassica napus Linnaeus (Brassicaceae) (Mori et al. 2019). The galls prevent flowers from opening and subsequent pod formation.
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan conducted a study to assess the nature and permanence of sequestered soil organic carbon (SOC) i) in contrasting Saskatchewan soils after 21 years of conservation management practices and ii) in soils with contrasting land management histories.
Clubroot maps can serve as important tools for grower education, the selection of effective disease management strategies, and assessing disease risk in specific regions.
In 2016, a new species of midge, Contarinia brassicola Sinclair (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), that develops on canola (Brassica napus L., Brassicaceae) was discovered in Saskatchewan and Alberta (Mori et al. 2019). At the time, nothing was known about its biology or potential impact on canola production.
With improved genetic pod shatter resistance and increasing producer confidence in the practice, straight-combining canola has become increasingly common in western Canada to the extent that the proportion of acres that are straight-combined in 2020 could approach 50%.
The swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is an invasive insect pest of canola (Brassica napus L. and B. rapa L.) and other brassicaceous vegetable crops in Canada.
Many producers use natural air drying (NAD) systems to minimize the capital and operating costs of grain drying; however, very little practical information or best management practices are currently available.
Canola is an essential crop in the Canadian Prairies, and canola losses are an unfortunate part of harvest that must be managed by producers. Canola losses can be categorized as environmental losses, header losses, or combine losses.
Canola meal is commonly used as a protein source in rations for dairy cows and beef cattle, however inclusion is limited in rations for newborn calves due to concerns of low palatability and low digestibility.
In 2015, researchers initiated a three-year feed program, including four projects conducted at different phases, to compare the feed quality of canola meal produced in China with Canada.
Neonicotinoids are an important family of insecticides in Saskatchewan, and are estimated to contribute to agricultural production in excess of $15 billion annually.
