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PLANT SCIENCE
HOW TO GROW WINTER CANOLA
Introduction
Canola production is well suited for southern Great Plains agriculture as an
alternative cash crop. Both spring and winter types of canola are grown in the
United States. In general, winter types have a 20 to 30 percent greater yield
potential than spring types. This yield potential indicates a very positive
rotational effect on wheat yields that are missed by growing continuous wheat.
Growing canola also enables the producer to control weeds that are a problem in
continuous wheat.
Growing winter canola is much like growing winter wheat. Winter canola and
winter wheat are planted and harvested about the same time. Canola can be
produced with small grains equipment, limiting the need for additional machinery.
Production costs of canola are similar to those for winter wheat. Canola yields a
little less than wheat and has a lower volume weight (50lbs/bu), but has a higher
market price. The low investment costs and increasing consumer demand for
canola oil makes it a potentially good alternative rotational crop for southern
Great Plains wheat growers.
Canola is a management-responsive crop. Weather certainly plays a role in
canola yields, but management makes the difference between average and
above average yields. Canola should not be planted in the fall and ignored until
harvest in June. Effective canola production requires hands-on involvement with
the crop.
Canola Growth and Development
The growth and development of the winter canola plant is divided
into easily recognizable growth stages. The length of each growth
state is influenced by temperature, moisture, light, nutrition, and
variety. Unlike wheat whose growing point is beneath the soil
during early development, the growing point of winter canola is
above the soil. The exposed growing point makes canola seedlings
more susceptible to foliage feeding insects and freeze damage.
Seedling
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The seedling or cotyledon typically emerges 4 to 10 days after planting and
develops a short stem. After emergence it begins to establish a rosette with
larger leaves at the base and smaller, newer leaves at the center.
Rosette
Canola overwinters in the rosette growth stage until early spring. Roots grow
approximately 4 to 5 feet during this stage. Fall foliage is produce d for over
wintering and spring foliage is mainly for seed production.
Courtesy of Okanola
Bolting
Growth resumes in early spring (February/March) with new leaves appearing
from the plant crown. Rising temperatures and lengthening days initiate bud
formation. A cluster of flower buds becomes visible at the center of the rosette
and rises as the stem rapidly bolts or lengthens. The main stem reaches 30 to
60 percent of its maximum length before flowering. Rapid development and
growth of a large leaf area strongly and directly influence pod set, seed
development, and potential yield.
Courtesy of Okanola
Flowering
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Flowering begins with the opening of the lowest bud
on the main stem and continues upward. Under
favorable growing conditions, flowering of the main
stem continues for 2 or 4 weeks, and full plant height
is reached by peak flowering. Approximately 3-5
flowers will open each day. Secondary branches
begin flowering a few days later. Usually only about
half the flowers that open will develop into productive
pods. The first buds to open become the pods lowest
on the raceme.
Maturation
Pods begin to grow longer and larger as the last flowers fade from the main
stem. Young seed is somewhat translucent as the embryo develops rapidly.
Seed weight increases and pod fill is complete 35 to 45 days after flowering.
Ripening
This stage is characterized by plant color
changes. Stems and pods turn yellow and
progressively become brittle as they dry. The
seed coat turns from a green to brown, and
seed moisture is lost rapidly at 2 to 3 percent
per day. Winter canola is ripe when the pods
are dry and the plants rattle when shaken.
When all seeds in all pods are mature, the
plant dies.
Field Site Selection
Courtesy of Okanola
In general, the best soil for canola is soil that produces high wheat yields. Winter
canola grows better in medium –textured, well drained soils, but will grow in a
wide range of soil textures. A soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is optimal, and yields
may be reduced significantly if pH is below 5.5. Like wheat, some varieties are
more adapted to lower pH soils. Canola does not tolerate water-logged
conditions and should not be grown in fields prone to standing water, flooding, or
poor drainage.
Past herbicide applications must be considered when growing winter canola
because many varieties are sensitive to herbicide carryover.
Seed Varieties
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The most important factor in considering a variety for the Great Plains is winter
survival. Other factors to consider are oil quality, seed yield, lodging, shattering,
maturity, and disease resistance. Growers should use only certified seed.
Certified seed has tested germination and purity, which will help ensure a proper
stand. Never plant seed without seed treatment. Innovations in canola, through
the introduction of herbicide tolerance, have reduced farmers’ costs and the use
of natural resources in its production. The transgenic gene inserted into the
canola plant to produce Roundup Ready herbicide resistance is a protein. All
protein is removed from canola oil during processing, so canola oil contains no
Genetically Modified (GM) material and is identical to canola oil from a non-GM
canola plant.
There are currently twelve winter canola varieties available for use in the
southern Great Plains. The varieties Wichita, Sumner, and DeKalb Roundup
Ready and Cropland Genetics HyClass varieties are proving to be the most
commonly grown in the region. New varieties and hybrids are being introduced
each year.
Seedbed Preparation
Winter canola requires special considerations for seedbed preparation. The
seedbed should be fairly level, firm and moist. If the seedbed is too fine
(overworked), it can lose soil moisture and can crust easier. A seedbed that is
too cloddy can result in poor seed placement and moisture loss. A good
indicator of proper seedbed preparation is when just the heel of your boot sinks
into the soil. An alternative to conventional tillage is to plant winter canola into a
stale seedbed.
Each tillage operation should be shallower than the one before. Pre-plant
fertilizer and herbicide applications should occur just before the final tillage
operation. Like with wheat, the last tillage operation should occur soon before
planting to avoid drying out the seedbed. It should be timed to destroy the last
flush of weeds and bring soil moisture to the surface.
Seeding Date
Seeding date is important to establishing a crop that has sufficient growth for
good winter hardiness. As a general rule canola should be planted six weeks
before the first killing frost date for the area (less than 25℉).
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Figure 1 Optimum Canola Planting Dates
Figure 2 Planting Dates for Canola Across the Great
Plains
Planting too early can result in large
plants that use excessive water and
nutrients during the fall growth.
Excess growth can actually decrease
winter survival. Planting too late can
result in small plants that have not
stored sufficient reserves for winter
survival. Thus, winter survival often
decreases with planting too early or
too late. In most of Oklahoma, if
winter canola cannot be planted by
October 10, plant small grains instead.
Seeding Rate, Depth, and Row
Spacing
Canola is adapted to a wide range of
plant populations. On average, one
pound of canola seed contains about 115,000 seeds.
Therefore, a seeding
rate of 1 pound per acre equals about 2 ½ seeds per square foot. A seeding rate
of 5 pounds per acre is recommended. Similar yields have been obtained for
Courtesy of Okanola
seeding rates of 4 to 10 pounds per acre.
Reduce the rate of seeding by 1 pound per acre
for each week before the optimum planting date and increase the seeding rate by
1 pound per acre for each week beyond the optimum planting date. A stand
density of 4 to 10 plants per square foot is ideal, but a stand with 2 plants per
square foot is adequate for a good crop. A poorly established crop should be
carefully evaluated in the early spring before destroying it. A stand in the spring
of only one or two healthy plants per square foot will compensate for wider
spacing between plants by developing additional branches.
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Because canola seeds are very small, careful placement at a shallow depth is
necessary. Best germination and emergence occur at seeding depths of ½ to 1
inch when adequate soil moisture is present. Canola experiences difficulty
forcing its way through thick soil covers or crusted soil.
The 6 to 15 inch row spacing available on most commercial grain drills is
acceptable for canola. Row spacing has little impact on yield. Narrower spacing
provides quicker canopy closure, reduces weed competition, and lessens wind
shattering before harvest.
Fertilizer Application
Soil fertility and fertilizer management play a major role in the winter survival,
yield, and quality of canola. Soil should be tested prior to seed bed
establishment. Tests should include N, P, K, and S. Fertilizer recommendations
for winter canola are similar to those for winter wheat, with two exceptions.
Canola uses about 25% more nitrogen (approximately 90-150 pounds per acre)
and twice as much sulfur as comparable yields of wheat. Lack of sulfur can
greatly impact winter canola yield and quality. High nitrogen applications in the
fall should be avoided, as they can lead to excessive fall growth and reduced
winter survival. Only 1/3 of the total nitrogen for canola (30-50 pounds per acre)
should be applied before planting in August. Apply the other 2/3 of the N prior to
dormancy break in the spring. Nitrogen can be banded or broadcast to the side
of the seed. Keep fertilizer at least ½ inch from the seed. In addition, apply all
phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and other soil amendments before the final tillage
operation. Sulfur should be applied in a sulfate form rather than elemental sulfur.
Weed, Insect, and Disease Management
Weed management is usually a key component of any winter canola production
system. It is important to control weeds, including volunteer wheat early in the
fall. Failure to use early weed control is the most common mistake made by firsttime growers. When a good stand of winter canola is established and a few
months old, the dense growth of leaves usually makes the crop a strong
competitor against weeds. Most spring weeds are problems only when canola
stands are poor and areas of the field are left open. Many canola varieties are
very sensitive to Sulfonylurea herbicides typically used in wheat production;
therefore, all equipment must be thoroughly cleaned. Herbicides currently
labeled for weed control in winter canola include Treflan, Stinger, Select, Assure
II, and Roundup Ultra Max II on Roundup Ready winter canola varieties.
Diseases can attack canola at any stage of development. They can be soil
borne, seed borne, or airborne. Only a few major diseases are likely to be of
concern in the southern Great Plains. These include blackleg, Sclerotinia stem
rot, powdery mildew, Alternaria black spot, and aster yellows. Currently labeled
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fungicides include Abound, Curalan, Ronilan, Quadris, Endura, M-Pede, and
Trilogy.
Several insect species can damage winter canola. Because winter canola
production in the region has been limited, these pests have not posed a large
threat or problem. Starting in November and continuing through harvest,
scouting should be done on the field to identify insect infestations. Insects that
are known to attack canola are flea beetles, cabbage seedpod weevils, cabbage
worms, alfalfa looper, diamond moth larvae, and aphids. Labeled insecticides
include Helix and Prosper (seed treatments), Capture, Warrior T, Confirm, methyl
and ethyl parathion and several others.
Harvest
Although they are harvested about the same time, harvesting canola is a slower
process than harvesting wheat. Winter canola can be either swathed and then
combined or combined directly. Swathing is generally done when winter canola
cannot be harvested in a timely manner. Winter canola that is ripe should be
harvested immediately. Damage from pod shattering caused by high wind, hail,
and even birds can cause serious yield loss. When harvesting winter canola, any
holes in the combine and trucks should be plugged with tape or caulk to ensure
that the seed is not lost.
Summary
Growers who understand how a winter canola plant grows can make more
effective management decisions. With the proper knowledge and equipment
winter canola can become a successful rotational crop for any southern Great
Plains wheat grower.
References
Great Plains Canola Production Handbook, Kansas State University, March 2009
www.canola .okstate.edu/index.htm
greatplainscanola.com/
www.canola-council.org/
www.uscanola.com/
www.northerncanola.com/
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SUGGESTED STUDENT ACTIVTIES
SHORT ANSWER/LISTING: Answer the following question or statement in the space
provided.
1. On the diagram provided locate the
Following parts of the canola plant.
a) Flower
b) Stem
c) Leaves
d) Cotyledon
e) Roots
2. Explain the function of each of the following parts of the canola plant.
a) Roots
b) Stem
c) Leaves
d) Flowers
3. Explain the problems that can arise if winter canola is not planted at the
proper time.
4. How is the seeding rate adjusted if canola is planted before or after the
optimum planting date?
5. List the two soil nutrient requirements that differ between winter canola
and winter wheat.
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6. How much of the required N should be applied prior to planting? When
should the remaining N be applied?
7. What soil type is best for winter canola?
8. Complete the timeline for growing winter canola.
|
Aug
|
|
Sept Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
9. Label the stages of the winter canola growing cycle.
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|
Apr
|
May
|
June
TRUE/FALSE: Circle the “T” if the statement is true or “F” if the statement is false. If
false, correct the statement to make it true.
T
F 10. Growing winter canola is much like growing winter wheat.
T
F 11. A bushel of winter canola weighs 60 pounds.
T
F 12. Canola should be planted in September and ignored until
harvest in June.
T
F 13. Flowering begins with the opening of the lowest bud on the
main stem.
T
F 14. Winter canola is ripe when the pods dry and plants rattle when
shaken.
MULTIPLE CHOICE: Write the letter corresponding to the correct answer in the blank
provided.
_____ 15. Unlike wheat whose growing point is _________ the soil, the
growing point of winter canola is ________ the soil.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Beneath, Above
Above, Beneath
Parallel, Horizontal
Horizontal, Parallel
_____ 16. The seedling emerges __________ days after planting.
a)
b)
c)
d)
1-2
3-5
4-10
6-15
_____ 17. Canola overwinters in the __________ growth stage until
spring.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Seedling
Rosette
Bolting
Flowering
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_____ 18. Fall foliage is produced for overwintering and spring foliage is
mainly for ______________________.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Seed production
Overwintering
Erosion control
Grazing
_____ 19. Only _______ of the flowers produced will develop into
productive pods.
a)
b)
c)
d)
25%
50%
75%
35%
_____ 20. Seed _________ increases and pod fill is complete 35-45 days
after flowering.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Color
Number
Weight
None of the Above
_____ 21. The ___________growth stage is characterized by plant color
change.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Rosette
Bolting
Flowering
Ripening
_____22. What is the most important factor when considering a variety
for the Southern Great Plains?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Winter Survival
Oil Quality
Seed Yield
Disease Resistance
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_____ 23. There are currently _______ winter canola varieties available
for use in the southern Great Plains.
a)
b)
c)
d)
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8
10
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_____ 24. What is the recommended planting depth for winter canola
seed?
a)
b)
c)
d)
½” – 1”
½ “- 2”
1” – 3”
¼“- ½”
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ADVANCED ACTIVITIES
1. Keep a plant journal and record the progress of the winter canola plant.
Record things such as:
a) Dates when things were done or occurred.
b) The number of days for canola to emerge, bolt, flower and pod.
c) The number of flowers produced.
d) The number of pods and the seeds inside the pods.
e) The height and growth rate of the plant.
f) Problems that occurred.
Keep similar records on the participating canola crop. (See winter canola
crop records form)
2. Conduct your own experiments with winter canola plants.
a) Record the difference in fertilized canola plants compared to non
fertilized plants.
b) Plant the canola seeds in different soil types and compare which seeds
grow the best.
3. Use the drill calibration kit for canola to calibrate a small grain drill prior to
planting. Use the following chart to determine the outcomes.
Volume of Milliliters Collected / 100 Feet
Row Width.
1 Row
2 Rows
4 Rows
6"
3.6
7.2
14.4
7"
4.2
8.4
16.8
7.5"
4.6
9.3
18.6
8"
5.0
10.0
20.0
10"
6.2
12.4
24.8
14"
9.0
18
36.0
4. Draw sketches of the plants at different stages and record what you
observe.
5. Conduct soil tests on the canola field of the participating farmer.
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SUGGESTED STUDENT ACTIVITIES (KEY)
SHORT ANSWER/LISTING:
1. a) FLOWERS
b) STEM
c) LEAVES
d) COTYLEDONS
e) ROOTS
2. a) ROOTS ANCHOR THE PLANT AND PROVIDE WATER AND
NUTRIENTS FROM THE SOIL.
b) STEM SUPPORTS THE FLOWERS AND LEAVES AND DELIVERS
NUTRIENTS UPWARDS
c) LEAVES SITE OF FOOD MAKING PROCESS CALLED
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
d) FLOWERS RELEASE AND ACCEPT POLLEN FOR FERTILIZATION,
THEIR PETALS ATTRACT INSECTS TO AID IN POLLINATION.
AFTER POLLINATION THEY FALL OFF.
3. PLANTING TOO EARLY CAN RESULT IN LARGE PLANTS THAT USE
EXCESSIVE WATER AND NUTRIENTS DURING FALL GROWTH.
EXCESSIVE GROWTH CAN DECREASE WINTER SURVIVAL.
PLANTING TO LATE CAN RESULT IN SMALL PLANTS THAT HAVE
NOT STORED SUFFICIENT RESERVES FOR WINTER SURVIVAL.
THUS, WINTER SURVIVAL CAN BE DECREASED BY PLANTING TOO
EARLY OR TOO LATE.
4. REDUCE THE RATE OF SEEDING BY 1 POUND PER ACRE FOR
EACH WEEK BEFORE THE OPTIMUM PLANTING DATE AND
INCREASE THE SEEDING RATE BY 1 POUND PER ACRE FOR EACH
WEEK BEYOND THE OPTIMUM PLANTING DATE.
5. NITROGEN- CANOLA REQUIRES ABOUT 25% MORE
SULFUR- CANOLA REQUIRES ABOUT TWICE AS MUCH
6. 1/3, PRIOR TO DORMANCY BREAK IN THE SPRING
7. WINTER CANOLA GROWS BEST IN MEDIUM-TEXTURED, WELL
DRAINED SOILS WITH A pH BETWEEN 6.0 AND 7.0.
8. AUG.-PREPARE SEED BED; APPLY PREPLANT FERTILIZER
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SEPT. - PLANT WINTER CANOLA
OCT. - APPLY HERBICIDE
NOV.-SCOUT FIELDS FOR INSECTS
DEC.- SCOUT FIELDS FOR INSECTS
JAN.- SCOUT FIELDS FOR INSECTS; APPLY REMAINDER OF
FERTILIZER
FEB. - SCOUT FOR INSECTS; SPRAY HERBICIDE IF NECESSARY
MAR. - SCOUT FIELDS FOR INSECTS
APR. - SCOUT FIELDS FOR INSECTS
MAY- PREPARE HARVEST EQUIPMENT
JUNE- HARVEST CANOLA
9. 1. SEED
2. SEEDLING/COTYLEDON
3. ROSETTE
4. BOLTING
5. FLOWERING
6. RIPENING
TRUE/FALSE:
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
T
F-50 POUNDS
F-SHOULD NOT
T
T
MULTIPLE CHOICE:
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
A
C
B
A
B
C
D
A
D
A
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