Nitrogen fertilizer management has long been amongst the most important considerations in Saskatchewan grain production, and canola is one of the largest users of this nutrient. Optimizing N fertilizer use efficiency is more important than ever with high fertilizer prices and increasing awareness of and societal pressure to minimize greenhouse gas emissions associated with N fertilization.
Micronutrients are important in the lifecycle of many plants; however, because they are required in much smaller quantities than macronutrients, their impact on plant performance is often harder to quantify (Canola Council).
Canola cultivars with higher yields can substantially benefit producers and downstream industries in Canada. Drought stress, one of the most detrimental abiotic factors, may cause severe yield loss in the Canadian Prairies.
Clubroot, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, is a major threat to canola production in Canada. The use of clubroot-resistant (CR) cultivars has been a key strategy in managing this disease.
Verticillium stripe (VS), caused by the soil-borne fungus Verticillium longisporum (VL), poses a significant threat to global canola production.
It is estimated that flea beetles cause economic losses of over $300 million annually in North America and represent the major insect threat to canola. Yield loss of 10 % is common when flea beetles are abundant.
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a fungal pathogen of canola and many other crops including bean, soybean, sunflower, potato and lentil.
Although a relatively new disease of concern for Canadian canola producers (1), verticillium stripe (VS) is an important disease for the European canola growers and has been extensively studied over the past several decades (2).
Canola is the most important oilseed crop in Canada, but it is vulnerable to heat and drought stresses. These stresses may cause abnormal vegetative growth, flower abortion, abnormal siliques, and substantially reduced seed yield and quality in canola and other crops.
Clubroot is a major disease that threatens Canadian canola industry. Developing strong resistance and understanding the clubroot pathogen are top priorities for CARP research, which will lead to increase productivity.
Engaging farmers in research has the potential to both increase agriculture productivity and reduce the environmental footprint. Farmers’ engagement in research is enhanced by organizing groups of farmers to conduct on-farm experimentation.
Global change factors including climate warming, agricultural intensification, and species invasions are leading to range expansions, altered phenology, and increased impacts of agricultural pest insects that threaten worldwide economies and food security.
