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):

  • 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.

  • Like many crops, canola prefers soils that have adequate water infiltration and aeration.

  • Canola is very responsive to sulfur fertilizer supply.

  • Canola is often grown in a rotation with small grains and pulse crops to break up the disease cycle.

  • As a small-seeded crop, canola seeds and seedlings are very sensitive to excess fertilizer salts in the seed-furrow

Canola Field
Canola Harvest

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 + 

Q&A

  • 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.  

  • 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. 

  • 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?

Proven in Canola

Polysulphate®

A 4-in-1 source of sulfur, magnesium, calcium and potassium in one uniform sphere

Polysulphate Premium

0-0-13
+TE

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Polysulphate®

Exceptional natural multi-nutrient fertilizer

Polysulphate Granular

0-0-14
+TE

See product

BIOZ

Discover your crops' maximum potential with BIOZ Diamond biostimulant

BIOZ Diamond 10-0-1



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Nova

A P-K foliar fertilizer, plus micronutrients, to help keep your finger on the pulse of N-fixation.

Nova PULSE (0-6-4 + Co, Mo, Zn)

0-6-4

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Agrolution pHLow

An advanced fertigation and pH management solution with an elevated potassium-to-nitrogen ratio and an extra boost of calcium

Agrolution pHLow High K Plus Ca 15-6-27 +3.3Ca with micros

15-6-27

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Agrolution pHLow

A dual-purpose water-soluble fertilizer that tackles water quality challenges and supplies high phosphorus plus zinc

Agrolution pHLow 11-45-11 Plus Zinc Starter

11-45-11

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Nova

A nitrogen-free fertilizer high in sulfur and potassium

Nova SOP 0-0-50+17.25S

0-0-50
+TE

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Agrocote

A premium quality potassium sulfate fertilizer that offers controlled release for up to 4 months

Agrocote SOP 0-0-48 (3-4M)

0-0-48

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Agroblen Total

A controlled-release fertilizer provides a balanced supply of NPK plus S to deliver precision crop nutrition for up to six months

Agroblen Total Balanced 14-14-14 (5-6M)

14-14-14

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Nova

Get your plants off to a quick start with MagPhos

Nova MagPhos 0-55-18+4.21Mg

0-55-18
+TE

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