Effect of fall and spring seeding on canola productivity in the Peace River region of northern Alberta

Abstract

. 2005. Effect of fall and spring seeding on canola productivity in the Peace River region of northern Alberta. Can. J. Plant Sci. 85: 641-644. The feasibility of dormant seeding canola in the fall in the Peace River region of northern Alberta was assessed. Results indicated that there is a significant risk of crop failure with fall seeding, mainly due to poor spring seedling emergence. Where a fall-seeded canola crop established, flowering and seed maturity occurred earlier even though plant densities were lower with fall compared with spring seeding, and seeding date had little or no effect on canola seed yield or quality. Tillage (minimum or zero) or nitrogen rate, source or placement had no consistent effects on canola productivity. Canola growers in the Peace River region are unlikely to achieve higher yield and quality by seeding canola in the fall.Key words: Dormant seeding, fertilizer rate, source and placement, minimum and zero tillage, polymer coated canola seed O'Donovan, J. T., Otani, J., Clayton, G. W. et Soon, Y. K. 2005. Incidence des semis automnaux et printaniers sur la productivité du canola dans la région de la Rivière-de-la-Paix du nord de l'Alberta. Can. J. Plant Sci. 85: 641-644. Les auteurs ont essayé de déterminer si on peut semer des graines dormantes de canola à l'automne dans la région de la Rivière-de-la-Paix, dans le nord de l'Alberta. Les résultats indiquent que la culture court de grands risques d'échouer, principalement à cause d'une piètre levée au printemps. Quand la culture semée à l'automne parvient à s'établir, la floraison et la maturation des graines surviennent plus tôt même si les peuplements sont moins denses que ceux obtenus avec des semis printaniers. Dans ce cas, la date des semis a peu d'effet, sinon aucun, sur le rendement grainier et la qualité des graines de canola. Les labours (travail minimal ou nontravail du sol), le taux d'application des engrais azotés, la provenance de l'engrais et la méthode de placement n'ont pas d'incidence cohérente sur la productivité du canola. Les producteurs de canola de la région de la Rivière-de-la-paix. ne devraient pas voir le rendement ni la qualité de leurs cultures s'améliorer avec des semis automnaux.

A decade of herbicide-resistant crops in Canada

“…A study at Scott, Saskatchewan found that yields of late fall-planted canola were similar to those of early spring-planted canola (Kirkland and Johnson 2000). However, subsequent studies across multiple sites concluded that early spring-planted canola reduced risk and optimized yield and quality compared with fall-planted canola (Karamanos et al 2002;Clayton et al 2004a;Johnson et al 2004b;O'Donovan et al 2005). Fall planting of canola peaked in 1999 at about 40 000 ha and by 2005 was less than 1000 ha (E. Johnson, personal communication 2005).…”

The effect of late fall seeding time on the seed production of Italian ryegrass

“…Results have varied for different ecozones, with more positive results for late fall seedings in areas that have more stable fall and winter temperatures, and a consistent insulating snow cover (Johnson et al 2004). Poor seedling emergence in the spring may also result in low yields for late fall seedings, perhaps due to low temperatures and drying of soil following spring germination, or insect feeding (O'Donovan et al 2005) The success of dormant seeding is dependent on freeze-up and snow cover soon after seeding, with the snow maintained throughout the winter. Dormant seedings are usually delayed until the soil is cool and germination will not occur in the fall, usually late October to early November, when seeding conditions are often poor in the Great Plains region of western Canada.…”