The intended benefit of this demonstration for producers is to show case a wide range of seeding dates in canola, in combination with an adequate and increased seeding rate, so producers can make best management decisions for seeding canola to avoid heavy flea beetle infestations and the need for insecticides, while achieving high yields and best quality.

This project is relevant to local canola producers, where sclerotinia can cause substantial economic loss.  

KCl-, 0-0-60, fertilizer can be harsh on equipment and cause unnecessary wear and tear. It is important to provide producers with strategies for managing Cl- deficiencies in canola that follow 4R practices and save the longevity of their equipment.

Nitrogen fertilizer management has long been amongst the most important considerations in Saskatchewan grain production, and canola is one of the largest users of this nutrient. Optimizing N fertilizer use efficiency is more important than ever with high fertilizer prices and increasing awareness of and societal pressure to minimize greenhouse gas emissions associated with N fertilization.

Micronutrients are important in the lifecycle of many plants; however, because they are required in much smaller quantities than macronutrients, their impact on plant performance is often harder to quantify (Canola Council).

Canola cultivars with higher yields can substantially benefit producers and downstream industries in Canada. Drought stress, one of the most detrimental abiotic factors, may cause severe yield loss in the Canadian Prairies.

Clubroot, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, is a major threat to canola production in Canada. The use of clubroot-resistant (CR) cultivars has been a key strategy in managing this disease.

Verticillium stripe (VS), caused by the soil-borne fungus Verticillium longisporum (VL), poses a significant threat to global canola production.

It is estimated that flea beetles cause economic losses of over $300 million annually in North America and represent the major insect threat to canola.  Yield loss of 10 % is common when flea beetles are abundant.

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a fungal pathogen of canola and many other crops including bean, soybean, sunflower, potato and lentil.

Although a relatively new disease of concern for Canadian canola producers (1), verticillium stripe (VS) is an important disease for the European canola growers and has been extensively studied over the past several decades (2).

Canola is the most important oilseed crop in Canada, but it is vulnerable to heat and drought stresses. These stresses may cause abnormal vegetative growth, flower abortion, abnormal siliques, and substantially reduced seed yield and quality in canola and other crops.

Clubroot is a major disease that threatens Canadian canola industry. Developing strong resistance and understanding the clubroot pathogen are top priorities for CARP research, which will lead to increase productivity.

Engaging farmers in research has the potential to both increase agriculture productivity and reduce the environmental footprint. Farmers’ engagement in research is enhanced by organizing groups of farmers to conduct on-farm experimentation.

Global change factors including climate warming, agricultural intensification, and species invasions are leading to range expansions, altered phenology, and increased impacts of agricultural pest insects that threaten worldwide economies and food security.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions has become a high priority for western Canadian producers. In 2020, the federal government established a target of reducing N2O emissions associated with fertilizer application by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030.

Clubroot disease continues to spread on the Canadian prairies. Use of resistant cultivars combined with crop rotation is the only economical method to reduce production losses caused by the disease.

Verticillium stripe is an important vascular disease of canola caused by the soilborne fungus Verticillium longisporum. This disease was well established in Europe decades ago and has subsequently been reported in other major oilseed growing regions.

Past research clearly shown that management practices such as no-till have led to an increase in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in the Canadian Prairies.

SKSIS launched in 2018 with the goal of making quality soil information accessible to Saskatchewan producers, agrologists, researchers, land managers, and policy makers.