Canola variety and Green and Grow evaluations at Western Triangle Ag. Research Center

Principle Investigator: Gadi V.P. Reddy, Superintendent and Associate Professor of Entomology/Insect Ecology, Western Triangle Ag Research Center

Personnel: John H. Miller, Research Associate and Julie Prewett, Research Assistant WTARC, Conrad, MT, and Brooke Bohannon, MSU/MAES, Northwestern Ag. Research Center, Creston, MT.

Objectives: To evaluate canola varieties grown at Western Triangle Ag. Research Center.

Methods: All plots were planted into no-till chemical fallow barley stubble using a 4-row plot drill with spacing set to one foot. Plots were trimmed, measured for length, and then harvested with a Hege 140 plot combine. Canola seed was cleaned prior to collecting data.

Results: The canola nursery averaged 19 bu/ac (Table 1). Test weight averaged 51.2 lbs/bu with mean seed oil content of 45.5%. There was no lodging or shatter to report in the canola nurseries. Highest yields in bu/ac were HyClass 930 having 23.2, DKL30-20R at 22.9, G49773 with 22.8, HyClass 972 at 22.3, and HyClass 970 in the amount of 22.3 respectfully.

Green and Grow seed treatment trial was subjected to the same conditions as the canola variety trial. The Green and Grow product was used as seed treatment on HyClass 930 canola. There were no differences between seed treated with Green and Grow and the untreated control (Table 2). Higher than normal temperatures in June with lower than normal precipitation, hindered yield and possible treatment affects.

This years’ overall crop year temperatures were slightly higher than the 30 year average at the research center, being 1.2 degrees warmer than normal. With November being 0.9 degrees warmer that the 30 year average. December and January average temperatures were very close to the long term average. February was exceptionally warmer, with the temperature being 11.4 degrees warmer than the 30 year average. March and April were also warmer by 4.6 and 2.4 degrees above the 30 year average. May temperatures were cooler than the average by 1.6 degrees. June was also above average by 1.9 degrees. With July and August being slightly cooler than normal by 2.1 and 2.7 degrees.

Precipitation was surprising with 5.18 inches more moisture than the 30 year average. We received above average moisture the fall of 2015, resulting in good soil moisture at planting. September was 1.82 inches above the 30 year average. October through December were 0.5 inches of precipitation above normal. January was ahead of the average with 2.1 inches more than the normal precipitation. February was exceedingly dry reporting no moisture for the month. With March close behind only receiving 0.2 of inch. April brought some much needed moisture with about an inch above the 30 year average, while May was only slightly above the 30 year average. June precipitation was 2.3 inches below normal. July received 1.4 inches over the 30 year average for precipitation. The combination of heat and dry in June at the time the canola was flowering and setting pods, affected yield making growing conditions very poor for canola.

A similar project will be proposed for FY 2017. The continuation of canola variety trials help elucidate researchers and farmers which varieties are better suited for that particular region in Montana.

Table 1. Statewide Industry Canola Variety Trial - Dryland, No-Till Chemical Fallow. Western Triangle Ag. Research Center, Conrad, MT. 2016.

RR: Roundup ready, LL: Liberty link, SU: sulfonylurea

Grain yield and test weight is adjusted to a uniform moisture content of 8%. Grain protein, grain oil, and oil yield are reported on a dry matter basis.

Seeding Date: 4/21/2016 Swathed Date: 8/16/16 Thrashing Date: 8/24/2016 Fertilizer (actual lbs/ac): 79-22-20-20

Preplant sprayed with Roundup RT3 at 32 oz/ac on April 3, 2016. Previous crop: Chemical fallow barley stubble.

Location: MSU Western Triangle Ag. Research Center, Conrad, MT.

Table 2. Green and Grow seed treatment on canola. Western Triangle Ag. Research Center, Conrad, MT.

2016.

RR: Roundup ready

Grain yield and test weight is adjusted to a uniform moisture content of 8%. Grain protein, grain oil, and oil yield are reported on a dry matter basis.

Seeding Date: 4/12/2016 Swathed Date: 8/16/16 Thrashing Date: 8/24/2016 Fertilizer (actual lbs/a): 79-22.2-20-20

Preplant sprayed with Roundup RT3 at 32 oz/ac on April 3, 2016. Previous crop: Chemical fallow barley stubble.

Location: MSU Western Triangle Ag. Research Center, Conrad, MT.