Canola Planting Brad True Seed Bed Preparation Canola

Canola Planting Brad True

Seed Bed Preparation Canola is very susceptible to soil crusting n Seedbed must be firm n Seed and soil moisture is critical for rapid seed emergence so seeding in dry soil is not recommended n Seedbed should be prepared in a way to prevent wind erosion since seedlings are easily damaged by drifting soil n Harrowing is not recommended n

This is a pulvi mulcher

Seed bed cont’d Can be planted with a variety of equipment n Optimum planting depth is between ½ inch to 1 inch deep n Canola is typically seeded in 6 to 7 inch rows with a grain drill. n

Fertilizer Application Nitrogen and Sulfur are key elements for high yields n Nitrogen or potash shouldn’t be applied in direct contact with seeds but should be applied in a band at least 2 inches away from seeds n Soil test is recommended for proper needs n Low Sulfur can be the difference between having a crop and not having a crop n

Fertilizer Cont’d n n Canola takes up Sulfate-S and sulfur fertilizer may be ammonium sulfate or a blend of ammonium sulfate and degradable elemental S Blend is recommended because in sandy soils, sulfur may leech during early season rains while elemental S may degrade during a moist season to supply needed S later in the year.

Seed Rates n n n n 5 -8 pounds per acre for Argentine Type 5 -7 pounds per acre for Polish type There is a major difference in seeds per pound in varieties Argentine contain 75, 000 -85, 000 seeds per pound Polish is 135, 000 -160, 000 seeds per pound Optimum plant population of 16 plants per sq. ft or 600, 000 plants per acre w/o herbicide resistance As low as 2 plants per sq. ft with herbicide resistance (uniformly spaced)

Dormant Seeding Defined as planting canola in cold, nearly frozen soil n Seed stays dormant until Spring n Plant when the top 2 inches of soil are or below 32 degrees n If soils warms to around 38 degrees the seeds germinate and will be killed once it freezes again n Very difficult to do n

Planting Timing April to early May n Planting beyond May 15 will decrease yield potential n Planting in June will significantly reduce yield n Planting in May will reduce risk of heat and drought stress during flowering n Canola is frost tolerant and can tolerate temperatures as low as 24 degrees n

Different Varieties n Argentine Type n n Higher yield potential Taller Higher oil content 95 Days to maturity n Polish type n n 80 days to maturity 15 -20% less yield than Argentine More resistant to shattering Yellow-brown seeds with less chlorophyll

Herbicide Resistant Canola n Clearfield Resistant-use Beyond herbicide at a 4 fl oz/A Post to Imi-tolerant canola from emergence until prior to bloom to control most annual grasses and broadleaf weeds n Liberty Resistant-34 fl oz/A Post from cotyledon stage to bolting stage controls most annual broadleaf weeds, controls or suppresses grasses, and may suppress perennial weeds. n Roundup Resistant- applied at 1 pt /A with no more than 2 applications from emergence to bolting. Controls most annual and perennial weeds.

The End!!