Improving nitrogen management in winter canola

Project Summary

Winter canola production in Eastern Canada is a growing segment of the Canadian canola industry. Winter canola acreage in Ontario, for example, has increased from less than 100 acres in 2015 to over 10,000 planted in the fall of 2021. Many of these acres are clustered in the most southern counties of the province where interest in the crop is being driven by high commodity prices and record yields. While farmers in this region are familiar with corn and soybeans, the management of winter canola is a new challenge, particularly in respect to fertility.

The goal of this research is to address the knowledge gap on fertility recommendation in winter canola and to develop better management practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with nitrogen fertilizer application, while maintaining the economic profitability of winter canola production in Canada.

The specific objectives are:

1) Describe the nitrogen response curve in winter canola and determine the maximum economic rate of nitrogen (MERN).

2) Determine the impact of intercropping winter peas and winter canola (winter peaola) on the nitrogen response curve and the maximum economic rate of nitrogen.

Amongst other deliverables, this project will determine the potential annual sequestration of Mt CO2eq (per hectare), for winter canola production. The difference between the baseline and target values will be calculated from the HOLOS model and target data will be provided at the end of the project.