Some canola fields are exhibiting missing or stunted pods at the top or middle of stems. Pods in some fields have been described as green on the ends and translucent in the middle. The most likely cause is environmental. The few days above 30°C in early July would certainly cause flower abortion, and the hormone response to a couple days…
Fertility
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The ideal time for a sulphur top up is any time before flowering, but a top up at early flowering may pay off if plants are showing signs of sulphur deficiency. The ideal time for a nitrogen top up is before the 5-leaf stage of canola, but AAFC research out of Indian Head, Saskatchewan, shows that nitrogen top dress as…
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Growers can expect to see some nitrogen loss from extended heavy rains, probably in the range of 20-50%. Before top dressing, wait to see how the crop recovers from saturated soils before investing any more in fertilizer. Don’t do anything while soils are still wet — roots cannot take up nutrient when soils are saturated. Applying nutrient direct to leaves…
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Growers who used elemental sulphur as their only sulphur source may see deficiencies in this year’s crop. Elemental sulphur will not be available when the crop needs it. In following the 4-Rs of fertilizer, elemental sulphur applied at seeding is not the “right source” or the “right time.” Sulphur deficiency symptoms (see the photos) that appear at the bud to…
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Nutrient and fungicide top dress treatments have been promoted to help heal and restart canola after hail. We don’t have published studies on using these or any treatments for this purpose in Western Canada, so it’s buyer beware. Leave a check strip to see if they improved yield. For products that require foliar uptake to work properly, severe hail damage…
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Click here for more information on products, rates and timing for best results from a fertilizer top-dress. This article has just been updated. If you’re on the fence about a top-dress application, consider applying a rate high enough to make a difference — such as 30 pounds of nitrogen or 20 pound of sulphur — to part of a field…
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Fertilizer dribble options for the sprayer: 1. Streambars or dribble bars are long bars — 12” to 15” or so each — with 4 holes along the length. They attach to each sprayer nozzle point, with the bar designed to reduce the distance between streams. Advantage: Streams drop straight down so spray patterns are unaffected by boom height. Disadvantages: They…
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The bottom line for seed-placed fertilizer in canola: 1. Apply plant available sources of nutrients. 2. Place a modest rate of P in the seedrow. At rates over 20 lb./ac., the salt component in MAP, for example, can start to set back seedling survival. 3. Place N and S in a band away from the seed…
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If a grower decides to try something new, find a uniform field, try one product at a time and leave an untreated check, ensuring both treated and untreated areas are accurately measured for final yield and grade so a true economic comparison can be made. In reality, some products may provide a good payoff for the price, but that payoff…