Rubisco Seeds: Firmly Rooted in Research

Winter canola is an excellent broadleaf rotational crop to clean up problematic or herbicide tolerant grass weed species common in winter wheat rotations.

Registered Group-1 herbicides, such as Select, Assure II and Poast, can be used to effectively control grass weeds in conventional non-GMO winter canola.

Registered herbicides to control broadleaf weeds include Group-3 Treflan and Group-4 Stinger. Always consult pesticide labels.

Ongoing broadleaf herbicide research privately funded by Rubisco Seeds has identified additional broadleaf control options, availability subject to registration.

Rubisco Seeds leads the Industry in privately funded research on herbicides in conventional canola. In direct response to farmers requests for solutions to control weeds in winter canola, in a manner that is practical and protects the modes of action of valuable herbicide products, Rubisco Seeds have identified and trialed novel herbicide programs through the Southeast, Midwest and Great Plains for several years. Weed resistance to herbicide products have exploded in recent years. Marestail, Ryegrass, Chickweed are just some examples of weeds that pose challenges in production systems that can be effectively controlled in our conventional hybrid canola. Despite multiple products being registered in all major canola growing regions of the world, the scant availability of multiple herbicide options for U.S. farmers remains a significant disadvantage. One of the primary objectives of this privately funded research is to provide support and a knowledge resource to potential product registrations on canola, some of which are imminent.

EPA granting a Section 3 label to Reglone/Diquat for harvest management of winter canola was based on work by Brian Caldbeck in KY in 2005.

In addition, the pending registration for Clomazone in Canada as a broadleaf herbicide in canola is a positive first step for also achieving registration for this product in the US. Rubisco Seeds have provided supporting research on the efficacy of this chemical in the US since 2010.

No-till planted

Plant height taken at harvest

Sclerotinia is an endemic disease in U.S. canola growing regions. From basal infection by soil mycelium to mid and upper canopy Ascospore infection, this disease can lead to significant losses of yield and quality in canola. Rotations and crop husbandry practices are critical tools in managing this disease and cover crops containing brassicas or other susceptible broadleaf species should be avoided in non-canola years. We continue to identify and conduct research on novel control options.

Alternaria is frequently disregarded as a significant disease in winter canola. However, tissue damage from this disease manifests itself later in the season on the upper photosynthetically active portions of the plant. We have researched and developed fungicide programs that effectively minimize the damaging effects of this disease. For further information, please contact Rubisco Seeds.

Based on the canola crops attractiveness to foraging wild bee populations, we continue to investigate crop production practices to enhance wild bee and beneficial insect populations.

By virtue of its growth habit, winter survival of canola in continental type climate regions remains a significant challenge to the expansion of the area planted to this crop in the U.S. While there are significant differences in winter survival observed in canola from different breeding programs, crop production practices and agronomy have a significant role to play in mitigating this challenge. Rubisco Seeds is continually developing multiple seeding techniques and production programs to help weatherproof this crop. The use of planters, wider row spacing and targeted hybrid canola plant populations have enhanced the survival of the crop in no-till and conventional environments. For more information on a production program for your farm, contact Rubisco Seeds.