2003 Canola Agronomic Research Programs (CARP)

Research Committee Report
by Edgar Scheurer

The Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA) commits a major portion of its money each year to funding canola research projects. The majority of this research will take place in Manitoba in 2003 but other projects will be conducted in Edmonton and Vegreville, AB, Saskatoon, SK and Melfort, SK.

The researchers represent Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Alberta Research Council, Alberta Agriculture, and Alberta Agriculture Food and Rural Development (AAFRD). They receive their funding through the Canola Agronomic Research Program (CARP), to which MCGA and other provincial canola grower associations contribute funding. This year, MCGA will contribute dollars to three continuing and five new projects.

For more information on MCGA funding call (204) 982-2120.

Continuing projects

Disease incidence in canola as affected by previous crop - To determine if growing oats before canola can reduce the incidence of disease pressure, if management of oat residue affects disease suppression, and if oat cultivars differ in their ability to suppress disease. Ramona Mohr, Brandon, MB.
Year 4 of 4

Volunteer Canola Dynamics and Management Under Current and Emerging Management Systems – Volunteer canola has become an increasing weed problem for subsequent crops including canola. Research on seedbank persistence will be conducted in ongoing crop management studies at the Brandon Research Centre to determine its population dynamics and management in crrent and emerging production systems. D. Derksen, AAFC, Brandon, MB.
Year 3 of 3

Strategies for Managing Flea Beetle and Other Pest Insect Populations in Canola – This study in investigatin the economics and efficacy of differential placement and reduced rates of seed treatment for the control of flea beeetles in canola. Preliminary results form the first year of the project indicated that using a 2/3 insecticide-treated :1/3 non-insecticide-treated seed ratio resulted in similar feeding levels as full insecticide-treated seed. However, under extremely heavy flea beetle feeding pressure even the full rate of insecticide-treated seed was not sufficient to prevent feeding above economic thresholds. Julie Soroka, AAFC, Saskatoon, SK.
Year 3 of 3

New Projects

Improving Integrated crop management by conserving natural enemies of insect pests – Natural enemies (predators and parasites) are key components in integrated crop management, but little research has been undertaken previously to identify ways of enhancing their effectiveness. Our project aims to conserve these important agents in canola to minimize pesticide inputs. Dr. Lloyd Dosdall, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
Year 1 of 3

Prediction of canola field establishment by seed vigour assays – The project will provide field data that will establish the relationship between the results of ethanol-based seed vigour assays and emergence/establishment of canola plants. Wayne Buckley, AAFC, Brandon, MB.
Year 1 of 3

Effects of late season flea beetle feeding on canola yields – This project will monitor flea beetle populations and feeding on maturing canola in order to determine the economic impact of such feeding on canola late in the season. Julie Soroka, AAFC, Saskatoon, SK.
Year 1 of 3

Optimizing canola production: pest implications of intensive canola rotations. – Understanding the benefits of crop rotation will enable producers to optimize yield and productivity. This study will develop guidelines for canola cropping frequency in rotation based on disease and weed pests. H. R. Kutcher, AAFC, Melfort, SK
Year 1 of 4

Development of a diagnostic field guide of herbicide injury on canola. – To develop a diagnostic field guide for visually identifying herbicide injury in canola due to herbicide drift and herbicide carryover in soils. Paul Sharma, Alberta Research Council, Vegreville, AB.
Year 1 of 1

Isolation, Identification and selection of resistant germplasm against PG3 strain of Blackleg pathogen in Canola – Blackleg pathogen's PG3 strain is new to the prairies and can devastate the canola industry. Finding the distribution, cause for its spread and existing resistant varieties as soon as possible will save the industry form major economic losses. Dilantha Fernando, Winnipeg, MB.
Year 1 of 3

For more information on CARP please visit the Canola Council of Canada.