Blackleg is a serious disease of canola caused by the fungal pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans. A number of different sources of partial resistance genes (Rlm) to blackleg disease have been identified and characterized in several Brassica napus cultivars.

In a previous study (Project Code: CARP2006-02) AAFC researchers determined the race structure of Leptosphaeria maculans, the species responsible for the most damaging symptoms of blackleg of canola in Canada.

It is well known that a contact herbicide such as Liberty is less effective on hard-to-wet weeds such as wild oat or cleavers. Wild oat control can be improved by tank-mixing with a Group 1 graminicide; however, there are no tank-mixes that will improve control of cleavers.

Producers have noted much more severe infestations of seedling blight and root rot in canola fields. Researchers conducted both field and greenhouse studies from 2007 to 2010 to identify the organisms associated with the increased incidence of root rot in hybrid canola crops, and to determine how to optimize cultural methods to reduce the impact of seedling blight and root rot on canola seedling populations and on plant yield.

Previous research conducted from the 2007 to 2009 by the Richardson’s Ground Squirrel (RGS) (RGS; Spermophilus richardsonii) Research Program in search of effective and socially acceptable toxicants, has provided a greater understanding of ground squirrel populations and control methods.

Herbicide tolerant (HT) canola was introduced in Western Canada in 1995 through an identity preserved production and marketing system, with unrestricted commercial production beginning in 1997. The subsequent adoption was relatively rapid, with 26% in the initial year, 78% by 2002 and 95% by 2007.

In 2009, weather conditions during the cropping season delayed canola development and fall harvest into October and November.

Researchers in Saskatchewan initiated a three-year project in 2010 to try to answer the question of how producers could respond when faced with low plant populations in hybrid canola due to poor stand establishment, spring frost, or pest damage.

Yield losses from infestations of root maggots (Delia spp.) can be severe in canola crops in central Alberta.

Nitrogen fertilizer is a major input cost in canola (Brassica napus L.) production and farmers are interested in improving nitrogen use efficiencies.

Field trials and grower experiences alike have shown that, while it is not uncommon to straight-combine canola successfully, substantial yield losses can occur and have been reported as high as 50% relative to swathing.

Clubroot of canola, caused by the pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae (Pb), is an emerging threat to canola production in western Canada. In 2008, researchers initiated a three-year study to assess microbial biofungicides as well as indigenous soil microorganisms for control of clubroot on canola.

Canola farmers seeking to maximize returns should target populations so that even under adverse conditions they will have more than 50 plants per square metre (5 plants per square foot).

Producers are encouraged to use pheromone baited traps to monitor diamondback moth flight. This information can predict expected larval densities in their crop.

Lactating dairy cows or growing beef cattle require amino acids for milk production and growth. These amino acids are the "building blocks" of milk protein and skeletal muscle.

The best defense against fall flea beetle damage to canola seed yields was to seed at mid-May or earlier. Seeding date had the greatest influence on harvest parameters for all factors investigated, and in most trials earlier seeded plots outyielded later seeded plots.

Blackleg continues to be found throughout the canola growing area and new strains of Leptosphaeria maculans have been observed in western Canada.

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is one of the most important pathogens affecting canola and other susceptible crops such as dry bean in western Canada. In canola, even a yield loss of 3% would cost producers approximately $13M yearly.

Researchers in Saskatchewan conducted a three-year trial from 2006 to 2008 to assess the potential of pushing canola as a pre-harvest management option compared to swathing, pushing and/or desiccating, and straight cutting canola.

Juncea canola can be considered as an alternate oilseed crop that is adapted to the semiarid areas of the northern Great Plains where high temperature and drought stresses often limit the productivity of conventional napus and rapa canola species.