Getting a good stand is the first step for any winter canola producer, and goes a long way toward achieving the ultimate goal of having a successful crop, said Mike Stamm, K-State Research and Extension canola breeder.

Planting date, planting depth, and soil moisture are all important factors that can affect stand establishment of winter canola in Kansas. In general, it is best to plant canola six weeks before the average date of the first killing frost of 28 degrees in central and south central Kansas, or eight to ten weeks before for southwest Kansas, he said.

“Planting at about this time will allow for enough time for plants to have the right amount of growth for good winter survival and canopy development,” Stamm explained. “If winter canola is planted too late, you’ll likely end up with small plants that may not have enough food reserves to survive the winter well. If it is planted too early, you may end up with too much growth that can deplete soil moisture and nutrient reserves.”

Excessive growth also may elevate the growing point or crown, increasing the chance of winterkill. This can be a problem when heavy residue is left in the seed row without tillage.

If soils remain dry this fall, dryland producers should probably delay planting as long as possible until moisture conditions improve and soil temperatures cool, Stamm said. Producers should not wait too long, however.

“In central Kansas, winter canola should be planted by Sept. 25. In south central Kansas, winter canola should be planted no later than the last week of September. In southwest Kansas, winter canola should be planted by Sept. 10 at the latest to try to avoid winterkill problems. Irrigated producers should not delay their planting date beyond the optimum time because of unusually warm soil conditions,” the K-State plant breeder said.

Seed placement is critical for successful germination, emergence, and stand establishment.

“In general, you’ll get the best germination if you place seed one-half to one-inch deep. Under drier conditions, you may have to plant deeper to get to moisture, but don’t plant canola more than one-and-a-half inches deep,” he said. “If you have to plant it that deep, you can expect delayed emergence and reduced vigor. Also, soil crusting following a heavy rain can result in a poor stand.”

Planting depth

With planting depth being so important to getting good emergence, producers should pay close attention to tractor speed when they’re planting, Stamm said. “Producers must plant slower when planting canola than when planting wheat—preferably five miles per hour or slower,” he said.

Row spacing is less critical than planting date and seeding depth. The most common row spacing for canola is between six and 15 inches, he said. That allows for rapid canopy closure and weed control. Yields are similar with row spacings in this range, with good weed control.

Some producers are experimenting with canola planted in 30-inch rows, using planters instead of drills, Stamm said. By using planters, producers are able to get more accurate depth control, precision seed metering, and better residue removal from the seed row. 

“As a general rule, yields may be reduced by about 10 percent when planting in 30-inch rows instead of 15-inch rows under dryland conditions. However, producers are able to reduce their seeding rate from five pounds per acre to between two-and-a-half and three-and-a-half pounds per acre, eliminating some inner row competition among plants and saving on seed costs,” he said.

Planting a hybrid cultivar with prolific branching will increase the profitability of canola planted in 30-inch rows, he added. 

Additional tips for successful canola stand establishment:

Many factors contribute to getting a successful stand of winter canola in Kansas, said Stamm. The following is a brief listing of important considerations.

For further information, see the newly revised Great Plains Canola Production Handbook, at any local extension office, or: http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/crpsl2/mf2734.pdf.