Home / Canola Watch / Fertility / Page 15
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If overall crop yields are 15-20% higher than average, as some forecast, then nutrient depletion is likely to be greater than normal. Standard fertilizer rates may need to be increased as a result, but soil testing will be necessary to confirm…
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High yielding canola and cereal crops will have drained the soil of a lot of nutrients. Taking good soil samples will help determine how much is left, and how to adjust fertilizer rates for the 2014 crop. Avoid sampling areas that may exaggerate the soil test readings. These areas include low spots, sandy ridges, old yard sites, hilltops, saline areas…
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For growers who want to use elemental sulphur, fall is the time to apply it…
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With reports of high yielding crops across the Prairies, fall soil tests are a good way to see how much nutrient reserves are left. It might not be much. Or, if yields were variable, some areas may have more than you think…
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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…
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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…