For many years, the main blackleg management strategies in western Canada were variety resistance and crop rotation. However, with tighter crop rotations in most of the canola growing regions, there have been increasing reports of blackleg, with a sudden spike reported in 2012.
Canola meal (CM), a by-product of canola crushing, is the primary high-protein ingredient in Western Canada that is used as a protein supplement in feed rations for livestock, and being evaluated as an ingredient in fish diets.
In recent years herbicide resistant weeds have become increasingly problematic in canola, and weed densities have increased approximately three-fold in comparison to 2003 surveys.
Researchers at PAMI compared header types for straight combining canola in field-scale trials over three years, looking for the optimal system. Overall, the results of the study indicate there was no definitive harvest system that had the highest yield, or the most desirable crop qualities, across all conditions encountered.
A multi-year study was initiated in 2013 at Indian Head to evaluate the impacts of wider row spacing on canola (Brassica napus) performance and investigate implications for seeding rate, N fertilizer and weed management recommendations.
For longer-term storage of canola, determining the best management practices to maintain proper temperature and moisture in the bins during the prairies’ hottest months is required to minimize the risk of spoilage.
Flea beetles are the most economically-damaging pest of canola. Researchers at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada initiated a project to develop canola lines with superior resistance to the crucifer flea beetle by enhancing a natural insect control system.
The abundance of pollinators in canola fields have the potential to boost yields and improve seed quality.
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan’s Lipid Quality and Utilization (LQU) program conducted several projects from 2014 to 2017, focusing on the development of industrial projects from vegetable oils.
The swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii, is a significant pest of brassica vegetable crops and canola in eastern Canada. It was first discovered in Saskatchewan in 2007 where it now threatens the canola industry.
Modern canola varieties are derived from a relatively small subset of the genetic diversity found within available collections of Brassica napus germplasm. Intensive selection for specific quality traits has further narrowed the genetic diversity within elite breeding lines.
Cutworms are present across the Prairies, and in some years some species of cutworms can reach levels that are of economic concern in field crops. Researchers conducted a five-year project across the Prairies to develop better identification tools and a better understanding of cutworm biology and their natural enemies.
