AgriLife variety plots provide planting, seeding rate information
CHILLICOTHE – Texas A&M AgriLife Research is conducting several studies on canola in both the Rolling Plains and High Plains regions as interest in the crop continues to grow.
The canola plots were showcased at field days at both the AgriLife Research Chillicothe Station, south of Chillicothe in the Rolling Plains, and at the AgriLife Research Bush Farm, 600 Farm-to-Market Road 2381 north of Bushland in the Panhandle.
Dr. Clark Neely, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service small grains and oilseed specialist in College Station, said interest in canola is growing as wheat producers look for a rotational crop that allows the use of herbicides to clean up grassy weeds in their fields.
“There are not many options to control grassy weeds in wheat,” Neely said. “But we have Roundup-ready canola, as well as Clearfield, which offer producers the option to use Roundup and Beyond in their fields when they plant canola in the rotation. In addition, there are sulfonylurea and imidazolinon carryover tolerant varieties that can easily follow wheat.”
Dr. Paul DeLaune, AgriLife Research environmental soil scientist in Vernon, said he is working on several canola studies demonstrating the benefits of canola in a rotation. Crop rotations evaluated canola/wheat and sorghum/canola rotations.
“We know crop rotation is far superior to a monoculture system,” DeLaune said. “We see a nice benefit for wheat following canola. We’ve seen as much as a 10 to 15 percent increase in wheat production.”
In addition to variety plots, his studies are investigating planting dates, seeding rates, row spacing, tillage and also use of plant growth regulators, DeLaune said.
“Ideally, you want to get canola into the ground six weeks before the first freeze; in this area that’s around Sept. 20,” he said. “But some no-till producers have had problems with winter kill.”
DeLaune said they have experimented with plant growth regulators to suppress fall growth. The objective is to keep it from getting too big and further elevating the growth point above the ground, which makes it more prone to winter kill.
“We’ve done two years of studies looking at early planting dates – Sept. 8, Sept. 15 and Sept. 23 – applying growth regulators at the six-leaf stage,” he said. “What we’ve seen is no real effect of applying those chemicals on canola and winter kill.
“What we’ve found is planting date is more important. Planting at the optimal time is still providing the best yields.”
“Look at the pods beginning at the bottom of the main stem and ideally when you see a 50 to 60 percent seed color change in the pods on that main stem, then it is time to swath or desiccate it for harvest,” DeLaune said.
Another consideration is choosing open pollinated or hybrid varieties, Neely said.
“There is a large difference in seed size,” he said. “The hybrid seed is half again as big as open pollinated seed, but can be more expensive, so you have to weigh your options on seed price. The hybrids are nice because the bigger seed might offer more risk management, providing more energy and hybrid vigor when planting into less-than-ideal conditions.”
Neely said winter hardiness is another trait of concern as wild temperature swings in the fall make that an important characteristic.
“Planting date drastically affects that, but variety selection also plays a role,” he said.
For a complete look at Texas canola variety trials and information, go to http://varietytesting.tamu.edu/oilseed/.