Determining the Feasibility of Early Seeding Canola in the Northern Great Plains

Abstract

found a regression relationship between canola seed yield and precipitation from 21 June to 20 August and Canola (Brassica napus L.) yield is often limited by heat and water mean daily temperature from 15 June to 15 August. The stress. Early seeding may avoid the heat and water stress at critical regression equations indicated that for each millimeter growth stages but will encounter low soil temperatures and frequent increase in precipitation, the yield of canola increased frosts. Three experiments were performed at two locations in Montana by 5.9 kg ha Ϫ1 . Also, for each degree rise in mean daily from 2002 to 2004 to determine (i) early spring seeding effect on seed temperature, there was a corresponding yield reduction yield and oil content and optimum seeding rates for early seeding, (ii) base temperature (T b ) for germination and heat requirement for of 188 kg ha Ϫ1 . In dryland cropping systems, water is emergence, and (iii) suitable cultivars for early spring seeding. Late-the most limiting factor for crop production. In a review March-seeded canola yielded 0 to 5% greater than mid-April seeding. paper, Johnston et al. (2002) suggested that a minimumDelaying seeding from mid-April to mid-May resulted in 43 to 63% of 127 mm of water is required for canola seed producyield reduction. Oil content was 12 to 22 g kg Ϫ1 greater for mid-May tion in the northern Great Plains. After the minimum seeding than mid-April seeding in 3 out of 5 site-year combinations.water requirement is met, canola produces 6.9 to 7.2 A seeding rate of 32 to 65 seeds m Ϫ2 was found sufficient to produce kg ha Ϫ1 of seed for every millimeter of precipitation optimum yields. Oil content tended to decrease 10 to 20 g kg Ϫ1 when consumed. Canola has a tap root system that can extract seeding rate increased from 11 to 97 seeds m Ϫ2 . The T b for germination water from a soil depth of 1.1 to 1.7 m (Nielsen, 1997). In was less than 4؇C, and the growing degree days for 50% emergence shallow soils that have a limited water-holding capacity, (GDD 50 ) were 42 to 81. Yield was negatively correlated (r ϭ Ϫ0.46 such as the Judith clay loam (fine-loamy, carbonatic to Ϫ0.65) to the days to 50% flowering, and biomass measured at Typic Calciborolls) in central Montana, canola may have 60 d after planting was negatively correlated to the chlorophyll fluores-to rely on frequent rainfall to sustain growth and procence ratio (F v /F m ) after cold stress (r ϭ Ϫ0.58). The optimal seeding duce seed during the latter part of the growing season.period for the region is between late March and mid-April. Several genotypes were found to have favorable characteristics for early Precipitation timing and amount vary greatly year to seeding.year and location to location in Montana. Consequently, growers in the region encounter highly unstable canola yields.

Yield and Yield Components of Wheat as Influenced by Sowing Date and Humic Acid

“…These results are in accordance with those of Sharief and Keshta [19] who found 20 days delay in seed sowing would decrease biological yield significantly. Similarly, Chen et al [20] have shown that early seed sowing decreases risk of late season drought stress and improve dry matter accumulation in plants. Moreover, late seed sowing produces slim and weak plants susceptible to lodging.…”

The effect of seeding rate, seeding date and seeder type on the performance of Camelina sativa L. in the Maritime Provinces of Canada

“…Although information on camelina seeding dates is difficult to find, there have been reports on other similar crops from Brassicaceae such as canola and rape. For example, it has been demonstrated that factors such as water and heat stress at critical growth stages, such as flowering and seed set, can be avoided by seeding earlier (Chen et al 2005). Early seeding can also increase the time the crop has to grow in the vegetative stage before turning to reproductive development (Gross 1963).…”

“…Seeding date has been found to have some effect on plant growth, yield and quality of many oil seed crops by altering the moisture condition, heat stress, temperature, flowering and maturity (Raymer et al 1990;Morrison and Stewart 2002;Adamsen et al 2005;Chen et al 2005). Earlier seeding can help crops to complete their seed fill before temperatures get too warm (Raymer et al 1990).…”

Seeding rate, fertilizer level and disease management effects on hybrid versus open pollinated canola (Brassica napus L.)

“…These results are in general agreement with Angadi et al (2003) and Morrison et al (1990), who concluded that 35-80 plants m -2 were optimal. Chen et al (2005) found that seeding 32 to 70 viable seeds m -2 was optimal, which would likely have result in somewhat lower plant densities.…”