Mastering canola stand establishment
November 1, 2023
Canola stands with optimum populations and uniform emergence offer the best chance of realizing the highest yield potential. Keep these spring canola seeding tips in mind – they will easily pay off with higher yields at harvest.
Seeding
Canola emergence can be variable – on average, approximately 50% to 60% of canola seeds survive to become productive plants1. Rapid emergence of a uniform crop stand produces a crop that can compete better with weeds, mature earlier and more evenly and improve efficiency when it comes to utilizing crop inputs and resources.
Five to eight canola plants per square foot is the recommended stand that will give growers the best chance of reaching the crop’s yield potential.
Seeding into shallow (1/2” to 1”) and warmer soils can promote rapid, even emergence and increase seedling survival.
Seeding tools should be properly set to achieve target seeding depth and seed-to-soil contact. Slower seeding speeds can achieve a consistent seeding depth and improve emergence rates, speed and overall crop uniformity.
The natural variability in canola seed size can cause issues like seeding misses, and double- or triple-seeded canola that can impact emergence and stand establishment.
Despite an often-intimidating learning curve, many growers across Western Canada are turning their minds to planting canola with a precision planter to improve seed placement, reduce seed costs and optimize their plant stands.
Pelta™ seed pelleting technology offers a new solution for growers looking for consistently-sized seed.
Canola treated with Pelta technology and seeded with a singulation planter
Canola seeded with an air drill. Photos taken May 14, 2021 — Carstairs, AB
Uniform canola seed lets farmers take advantage of singulation planter technology for more accurate seed placement.
- Better seed survivability – by up to 40%2
- Stronger stand establishment
- More even crop development – making it easier to time in-season herbicides, fungicides and desiccation
- Maximize canola hybrid performance and yield potential
Check out this helpful Seeding Rate Calculator to determine the best seeding rate based on seed size, target stand and estimated emergence percentage.
Nitrogen
It’s no secret nitrogen is critical to plant growth, reproduction and achieving canola yield goals. In addition to standard nitrogen application rates, nitrogen-fixing biological solutions like Envita® can be used alongside a conventional fertility program, helping to match nitrogen supply during peak plant demand.
Envita® is the leading nitrogen-fixing biological product that turns the entire plant – including leaves and roots – into a nitrogen-fixing powerhouse, providing the plant an additional source of nitrogen where and when it’s needed.
Disease protection
Poor plant stand establishment can be caused by a variety of agronomic factors, including early season insect damage and disease pressure. Increase seedling survival rates, plant stands and protect canola with fungicide + insecticide seed treatments.
A foundational seed treatment like Helix® Saltro® can complement canola varieties’ genetic disease resistance packages and provide increased protection against flea beetles and seed- and airborne blackleg, among others.
For additional protection against flea beetles and cutworms, Fortenza® Advanced seed treatment can be added to your foundation seed treatment to deliver three insecticides and five fungicides for full broad-spectrum protection from all key canola seed and seedling insects and diseases.
1 https://www.canolacouncil.org/research-hub/management-practices-optimum-canola-emergence/
2 Syngenta research trials have shown that Pelta, combined with singulation planting technology, improved canola emergence by up to 40 percent.
Performance evaluations are based on internal trials, field observations and/or public information. Data from multiple locations and years should be consulted whenever possible. Individual results may vary depending on local growing, soil and weather conditions. Return on investment is based on the foregoing assumptions. Individual results may vary.
Always read and follow label directions. Fortenza® Advanced is an on-seed application of Fortenza Seed Treatment insecticide and Rascendo® Seed Treatment insecticide. Helix® Saltro® is an on-seed application of Helix® Vibrance Seed Treatment fungicide/insecticide and Saltro® Seed Treatment fungicide. Fortenza®, Helix®, Rascendo®, Saltro®, Pelta™ and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. Envita® is a trademark of Azotic Technologies® LTD. Used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2023 Syngenta.
