Canola variety evaluations at Western Triangle Ag. Research Center

Principal Investigator: Gadi V.P. Reddy, Professor of Entomology/Insect Ecology, Western Triangle Ag Research Center

Personnel: John H. Miller, Research Scientist and Julie Prewett, Research Assistant WTARC, Conrad, MT, and Simon Fordyce and Pat Carr, MSU/MAES, Central Ag. Research Center, Moccasin, 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 24.5 bu/ac (Table 1). Test weight averaged 49.8 lbs/bu with mean seed oil content of 42.9%. There was no lodging or shatter to report in the canola nurseries. Highest yields in bu/ac (lb/ac) were HyClass 955 having 31.4 (1570.4), InVigor L252 at 29.6 (1477.9), DKL35-23R with 28.0 (1401.2), InVigor L230 at 27.9 (1394.3), and 11H4030 in the amount of 27.8 (1390.2), respectfully.

The combination of heat and dry at the end of June and into July at the time the canola was flowering and setting pods, affected yield making growing conditions very poor for canola. This past summer, the canola aborted the pods and flowers on the upper six inches of the plant. The canola nursery seed size and oil were lower than usual.

Overall, the crop year temperatures where much warmer than 31 year average at the research center, July was 4.9 degrees warmer than the average. But the overall average temperature for the year from September to August was 1 degree cooler than the 31 year average. The winter temperature was well below average, with the exception of November being about 7 degrees warmer than usual. December and January were 10 and 6 degrees colder than the 31 year average while May thru August were warmer than the 31 year average. July was 5 degrees warmer than the normal. Precipitation was generally above the average from September to April, then below normal from May to August. Overall, precipitation was average for the year.

The spring canola plots were seeded into soil that had good soil moisture storage from the summer, fall and winter of 2016-17.

A similar project will be proposed for FY 2018. 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. 2017.

RR: Roundup ready, LL: Liberty link, SU: sulfonylurea, CL: Clearfield 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: 05/01/2017 Direct cut harvested date: 08/15/2017 Fertilizer (actual lb/ac): 34-22-20-20(S), using 0-45-0, 24-0-0-21, 0-0-60, and 46-0-0 Pre-plant sprayed with Roundup RT3 at 40 oz/ac on 05/01/2017.

Previous crop: Chemical fallow barley stubble.

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