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Growing Canola – Crop Nutrition 101
Growing Canola – Crop Nutrition 101
What you need to know about canola fertilization, best practices, and more
Crop Nutrition Information for Growing Canola (Brassica napus):
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Performs well at soil pH values between 5.5 and 8.5 -Canola grows well in cool, shorter season environments like that of western Canada.
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Like many crops, canola prefers soils that have adequate water infiltration and aeration.
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Canola is very responsive to sulfur fertilizer supply.
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Canola is often grown in a rotation with small grains and pulse crops to break up the disease cycle.
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As a small-seeded crop, canola seeds and seedlings are very sensitive to excess fertilizer salts in the seed-furrow
Key Nutrients:
- High-demand nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur
- Secondary and micronutrient imbalances or deficiencies can negatively impact quality and yield
Nutrient Requirements:
Nutrient balance is key to quality yields.
N lb/acre = 100-120
P lb/acre = 15-25
K lb/acre = 60-120
S lb/acre = 20-25
Ca lb/acre = 40-60
Mg lb/acre = 12-18
Nutrient uptake values are estimated for a 35 bu/acre canola crop. Source: Canola Council of Canada (https://www.canolacouncil.org/canola-encyclopedia/fertility/basic-plant-nutrition/)
Role of Nutrients:
Different nutrients can influence your harvest quality and yield.
+ = improving
– = decreasing
+/- = different results, depending on the rate of nutrient applied
Yield: N++, P+, K+, S++, Ca+, Mg+
Seed oil concentration: N +/-, S +
Canola Field
Canola Harvest
Q&A
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Recommendations for canola production in Canada and the north-central United States often range between 20-30 pounds of S per acre including sulfur contributed by both soil and fertilizer.
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Canola seed is sensitive to high salt-index fertilizer sources. Potassium chloride or potash is a common source of K, but has a high-salt index limiting how much can be applied in proximity to the seed. Similarly, common sources of sulfur such as AMS can limit emergence and seeding vigor. A low salt-index, low-chloride source of K and S like Polysulphate is an ideal source for seed-applied K and S.
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Balanced nutrition is key. To complement grower practices we recommend Polysulphate Premium (0-0-13+11.8Ca+3.4Mg+18.2S) as an excellent seed-safe 4-in-1 fertilizer source for canola production. Recommended application rates are 100 to 150 lb/A applied either broadcast or with an air-seeder.
Need expert advice on your plant nutrition plan?
