Variety Selection and Agronomic Technology to Reduce Heat, Water, and Pest Stress of Canola in Central Montana (2003)

This paper evaluates selected canola varieties for their adaptation to field sites in north central and central Montana; determines the optimum seeding date and rate to avoid or reduce heat and water stress without risking seedling mortality due to freezing or seed decay in cold soils; and determines the optimum seeding date and rate to avoid or reduce pest damage. Fourteen varieties and breeding lines, including regular and Clear-Field canola, were obtained from Dr. Jack Brown’s canola breeding program at University of Idaho, and three Roundup-Ready canola varieties were received from Monsanto Company and Interstate Seed Company. The canola was planted at the Central and Western Triangle Agricultural Research Centers (CARC and WTARC) of Montana State University. Canola seed yield is significantly affected by seeding date and rate. Early seeding date is a key for obtaining a high and stable yield. Canola should be seeded in late March to early April with a seeding rate of 33 to 67 plants m-2 in central and north central Montana. Several breeding lines from Dr. Jack Brown’s breeding program at University of Idaho showed promising in yield and oil content. However, selected cultivars for early seeding in Montana must be able to emerge in cool soils and tolerate frequent frost damages in early spring. Our preliminary study in variety evaluation and cold tolerance screening showed promising results (Table 2). Therefore, I ask the PNW Canola Research Program Committee to continue supporting my research on variety evaluation and cold tolerance screening.