Canola (Brassica napus L. cv. ‘Canola’) production has both economic and agronomic advantages. The objectives of this review were to summarize the key management factors determining crop productivity and to propose plausible pathways to narrow the gap between actual and potential yield. A synthesis study was conducted on data available from performance trials and by reviewing >100 reports in peer‐reviewed journals, extension publications, and websites. The main outcomes obtained from this synthesis suggested that canola attainable yield could be 4 Mg ha−1 with a potential maximum yield of 7 Mg ha−1. However, actual average yields in North America region were ∼1.7 Mg ha−1 for the period 2000 to 2014. Available in‐season water, water distribution at critical stages, and nutrient supply (soil plus fertilizer) all contribute to a significant portion of canola yield. Other management factors such as seeding rate, rotation, and cultivar selection substantially affect plant performance. Tillage might have an economic and environmental effect, but overall, the outcome of the meta‐analysis did not show significant effect on yield. The review suggests that water supply, balanced nutrition, early planting (for both winter and spring types) in shallow depth (10–19 mm), high seeding rate (6 kg ha−1), and diverse rotation (canola every 3 or 4 yr) are among the best management practices to increase yields. Future lines of research should focus on improving planting operations that diminish early‐season heterogeneity, fine‐tuning optimal seeding rates based on modern varieties at varying yield environments, and searching for compatible hybrids to replant without heterogeneity at harvest.

The objective of this research was to study the adhesion properties of sodium bisulfite (NaHSO 3 )-modified canola protein. Protein was extracted from canola meal through alkali solubilization and acid precipitation methods, then modified with different concentrations of NaHSO 3 (0-15 g/L) during the isolation process. As NaHSO 3 concentration increased, canola protein purities decreased. Amino acid profiles showed that the hydrophobic amino acids in canola protein constituted only 27% of total protein, indicating that canola protein is mostly hydrophilic. The reducing effects of NaHSO 3 were exerted on canola protein through the breaking of disulfide bonds in both its cruciferin and napin components, as reflected by the protein electrophoresis profile, DSC data, and morphological images. The wet protein isolates were used as adhesives. The greatest wet shear strength of canola protein adhesive without modification was 3.97 MPa with 100% wood cohesive failure (WCF), observed at a curing temperature of 190°C. NaHSO 3 had slight weakening effects on the adhesion performance of canola protein. Canola protein modified with 3 g/L NaHSO 3 exhibited wet shear strength similar to the control at 190°C and higher strength at 150 and 170°C. The NaHSO 3 modification significantly improved handling and flowability of canola protein adhesives.

Establishment and winter survival are two major challenges of growing winter canola (Brassica napus L.) in the central Great Plains. This study evaluated five planting dates between 15 August and 15 October and tillage method (conventional tillage and no tillage) on winter canola fall plant density, fall crown height, fall vigor, winter survival, spring plant density, spring vigor, and yield. Planting date affected all measurements while tillage only affected yield. Conventional tillage yielded 8% more than no tillage. Canola needs to be planted earlier than previously recommended: between 15 August and 1 September for successful winter survival and seed production in western Kansas.

Successful winter canola (Brassica napus L.) production creates diversity and provides crop rotation alternatives for producers. Stand establishment and winter survival are among the main determinants of success in winter canola production. The objective of this research was to investigate the impact of environment, crop management, genetics and their interactions on canola stand establishment, survival, yield, and oil and protein content. Two datasets were analyzed: results from the National Winter Canola Variety Trials conducted from 2003 to 2012 and data from experiments conducted for 3 yr (2010–2012) in Manhattan, KS, to assess the impact of planting date, tillage, and cultivar on canola yield and survival. Canola has the potential to yield up to 7 Mg ha–1; however, actual yields were usually in the range of 0 to 4 Mg ha–1. The average oil content of canola seeds was 40%, but the potential extended to 47%. Environment, defined as a combination of year and location, was responsible for the majority of variation in yield, oil content, stand establishment, and survival of winter canola. Planting in mid to late August and early September benefited yield most of the time compared with planting late in September or October in the Great Plains and Midwestern United States. Only with extremely early or late planting did tillage improve winter survival and yield compared with no‐till. Crown height of canola was greater in no‐till treatments compared with conventional tillage treatments, but a significant relationship was not observed between crown height and winter survival or yield. Cultivars differed significantly in yield, survival, and crown height, but no cultivars were consistently superior in no‐till conditions or with plantings outside of the recommended time frame.