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.

Sclerotinia stem rot, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is a serious disease problem of canola worldwide. The long term objective for researchers at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is to provide the canola industry with specific resistance genes and molecular markers as a selection tool used by plant breeders for selection of stem rot resistant canola cultivars.

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.

Researchers are using standard molecular biology protocols to generate a genetic framework map and to try to develop lines that include genetic control of pod shatter.

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.

Pea meal and pea and canola protein concentrates provide a significant advantage over soybean meal in salmonid diets according to research at the University of Saskatchewan.

Fusarium wilt resistance in Brassica napus was found to be conferred by a single dominant gene, the A-genome. This means that B. rapa and B. oleracea may be sources of resistance to fusarium wilt available to B. napus breeders.

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.

The development of early maturing canola is crucial to the northern canola growing areas of western Canada. Although B. rapa has several advantages over B. napus, producers currently have very few cultivars from which to choose, and only one with resistance to blackleg.

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.

Most of Canada’s canola crop is produced using certified seed. With rising input costs, some producers are tempted to save and replant seed (farm-saved seed) grown from a hybrid variety.

In Canada, Aster Yellows Disease (AY), caused by ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ affects several economically important crops including canola. Until recently, the disease has been considered to be of little importance, however, in 2007 crop production losses were higher than estimated with the visual AY assessment.

Flexibility in rotation planning allows canola and field pea producers to adapt to changing management practices and marketing opportunities. Current recommendations are to follow a one in four year rotation for canola or field pea on a particular field.