Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is the causal agent of Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR) of canola (Brassica napus). In North Dakota, the leading canola producer in the United States, SSR is an endemic disease. In order to estimate the impact of this disease on canola yield, field experiments were conducted from 2000 to 2004 at several locations in North Dakota and Minnesota. Experimental plots were either inoculated with laboratory-produced ascospores or infected by naturally occurring inoculum in commercial fields. Applying fungicides at different concentrations and timings during the flowering period created epiphytotics of diverse intensities. Disease incidence was measured once prior to harvesting the crop on 50 to 100 plants per plot. Results of the study indicated that 0.5% of the potential yield (equivalent to 12.75 kg/ha) was lost for every unit percentage of SSR incidence (range of 0.18 to 0.96%). Considering the current cost of fungicide applications and the market value of this commodity, a 17% SSR incidence could cause losses similar to the cost of a fungicide application. Additional efforts are required to improve current levels of tolerance of canola plants to this pathogen.
The influence of growing conditions in North Dakota on grain yield and seed composition was evaluated for industrial hemp varieties (Cannabis sativa L.) grown in North Dakota, USA. Average grain yield across varieties was 2138 kg ha −1 . Crude protein content of undehulled industrial hemp flour from 10 varieties ranged from 32.7% to 35.9%; and oil content ranged from 24.3% to 28.1%. All industrial hemp flours were excellent natural sources of iron (46.7%), manganese (169.1%), copper (29.0%), zinc (28.2%), phosphorus (41.0%), and magnesium (33.7%) on a per serving basis (30 g per serving) for percent recommended daily intake (% RDI). Oils from most of the varieties differed significantly for the fatty acid (FA) profile. The n6/n3 ratio ranged from 3.2 to 5.1. Principal component analysis (PCA) suggested that CFX-2 and CRS-1 grew well in North Dakota based on grain yield, flour, and oil quality. In this study, the chemical composition of flour was not influenced by crop year; but crop year did effect the nutritional mineral composition. These results may have important implications for the use of industrial hemp in food applications.
Increased interest in alternative sources of oil for edible and industrial uses have stimulated interest in the producti on of new oilseed crops. Spring sown canola (Brassica napus L. and Brassica campestris L.) and crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst) have excellent potential to expand the diversity of agricultural crops available to North Dakota producers. The three species are cool season oilseed crops that are adapted to this area. "Canola" is a tradename for varietie of rapeseed from which the oil can be used for hu man con umption, while crambe oil is used for industrial purpose .
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