Sowing methods for canola cultivation

Usually following methods are applied for canola cultivation in Pakistan.

a. Broadcast method

Since the seeds of rapeseed and mustard are small in size therefore growers find broadcasting method of sowing very convenient. They spread the seed over the field as even as possible and plough or harrow and then plank the field. This method is not generally recommended.

b. Line sowing method

Seeds are sown in lines with the help of seed drill. The recommended spacing between lines, among plants and seed depth are given below in table.

Miscellaneous varieties of canola cultivated in Pakistan

Canola type: Dunkeld, Rainbow, Oscar, 19-H.

Non-Canola: Sultan Raya, KS-75

Hybrids (imported): Hyola – 420, Hyola – 308, Hyola – 401, Pioneer – 45J21.

Local Hybrids: Tarnab-I, Tarnab-II, Tarnab-III

Weed management

Mustard seedlings are very susceptible to weed competition in the first few weeks after emergence. An effective weed control during this period is vital. The crop canopy usually closes 6 to 8 weeks after emergence and then rapeseed becomes an excellent weed competitor due to increased canopy. Glyphosate (Roundup) is pre-emergence herbicide can be used to control weeds or hand hoeing is also an effective method of weed control.

Irrigation

Irrigation schedule varies with environmental conditions, temperature, rainfall, soil type, and variety/hybrid. In flooding generally rapeseed requires 3 – 4 irrigations depending upon rains. Moisture stress during flowering, pod formation and seed development stages affects the yield.

Fertilizer

The phosphorus requirements for good yields of rapeseed or canola are equal to or greater than those for wheat or barley. Rapeseed takes phosphorus from the soil rapidly in the early growth stages and continues to remove phosphorus over a period of more than eight weeks. 2.5 bags/ha of DAP are applied at time of sowing. Crop responses to fertilizer nitrogen are influenced by soil type, moisture conditions and nutrient balance. High rates should only be applied when a soil test indicates they are needed. Nitrogenous fertilizers are used in split doses i.e. Basal dose of 23 Kg nitrogen will come from DAP and from remaining nitrogen as urea 1.5 bags in November, 2 bags in December and 1.5 bags/ha in January with the fertigation system or by broadcasting.

Diseases and insect pest management

a. Sclerotinia Stem and Root Rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum)

Symptoms:

All parts of the plants i.e. stem, root, pod and leaves are attacked. Infected areas show cottony mycelium growth associated with large, round tomirregular shaped, black sclerotia (2-15 mm in size). Sclerotia also develop within the pith. At maturity, the diseased tissue tends to shred upon handling. Releasing sclerotia into the soil or in the crop as it is harvested. Occasionally sclerotia are found in pods, side branches. Pods may also be infected and killed.

Control Measures

• Deep ploughing of soil will help to minimize the disease because burial of sclerotia at 8 cm checks the formation of apothecia and ascospores.
• A long rotation with at least four years between susceptible crops to reduce the incidence and severity of disease.
• Susceptible weed and volunteer plants should be destroyed to reduce the disease problem.
• Routine cleaning of seed followed: spiral cleaner removes nearly all sclerotia. This too will reduce the inoculum in the field.
• Seed treatment (for control of seed contamination by sclerotia of the pathogen); apply Thiabendazole at the rate of 400 mg/100 kg seed.

b. Stem, Leaf and Pod Spots, (Alternaria black spots)

Symptoms: The disease first appear on the cotyledons with light brown spots which rapidly turn black due to appearance of spore masses and act as source of infection for other healthy plant. Leaf spots range from gray to black depending upon moisture conditions. Each leaf lesion may be surrounded by chlorotic area. Lesions consisting of well-marked concentric zones are often seen. Defoliation is an important consequence of leaf infection. Stem and pod spots are brown to black and may become large frequently developing grayish center.

Control Measures

• Early varieties of rape may reduce loss due to Alternaria black spot.
• Weed control appears to be more critical for this disease.
• Use quality seed to reduce the inoculum of the pathogen.
• Seed treatment with fungicides is beneficial to control seed borne diseases.
• Resistant varieties provide the most economical way to control the disease.
• Foliar sprays with systemic fungicide control the disease to some extent but are unpractical for large acreage.

c. Powdery mildew

This disease is caused by fungus; Erysiphe cruciferarum. It occurs at the flowering stage. Dirty white circular flowing patches appear on both sides of lower leaves. Cool and dry season helps the disease to develop. To control powdery mildew spray with Topas 100 EC or any other suitable fungicide is can be used.

d. White Rust Disease of Mustard (Albugo candida)

This disease is caused by fungus Albugo candida and Albugo cruciferarum. White raised blisters on leaves, stem, petiole and floral parts appear. Cool and wet weather favors development of the diseases to control:

1. use healthy seed
2. keep the field free from weeds.

INSECT PESTS

A. Aphids

Adults and nymphs of this pest suck the sap of the tender leaves, twigs, stems, inflorescence and pods. They secrete excessive, amount of honey dew which interferes the photosynthetic process of the plant. Sometimes aphids cause loss about 40 – 60%. To control the aphids, adjust sowing period in such a way that the crop avoids the pest damage. Early sowing and chemical spray of insecticide is recommended i.e. Master 60 SL @ 1000 to 1500 ml/ha, Lorsben 40 EC @ 700 to 1000 ml /ha, Confidor SL200 @ 250 ml per acre, and Advantage 20EC @ 500 ml per acre.

b. Painted bug

Both adults and nymphs cause serious damage to seedlings, causing wilt and death of the plants. Thousands of these bugs cluster over the leaves, stems and pods and suck the sap. They hide under clods during day and become active during night to control:

1. Lorsban 40EC
2. Talstar 10EC
3. Karate 2.5EC
4. Adopt clean cultivation.

c. Red-legged earth mite (Halotydeus destructor), Blue oat mite (Penthaleus

major):

The mites may seriously damage the crop establishment. They feed the foliage of seedlings and young plants, piercing the outer cells and sucking cell sap. Damaged leaves appear mottled and white or silver and heavily infested leaves may wilt or shrivel. Severely damaged plants usually remain stunted. Heavily infested seedlings and young plants may are damaged severely or killed.

1. Adult red-legged earth mites are somewhat flattened and about 1 mm long with velvety black bodies and bright red legs. They feed gregariously, usually on the upper side of the leaves.
2. Adult blue oat mites are about 1 mm long with pear shaped rounded, purple-blue, greenish blue or black bodies and bright pinkish red legs. Blue oat mites feed either singly or in small groups of five to ten mostly on the underside of the leaves.

HARVESTING

The crop matures in 110-190 days depends upon the variety and time of sowing. The pods become yellowish brown and seed moisture is less than 15% (when 60 – 70% pods turn yellow). Seed sound is produced from the pods, when shaken. Harvesting is a critical operation, its optimum harvesting time is very important because early harvesting can reduce seed quality and late harvesting can enhance pod shattering. Crop should be harvested early in the morning. When the plants are moist, otherwise yield losses occur due to shattering.

THRESHING

When the harvested crop dries completely, it should be threshed in clear weather. Threshing can be done by thresher, bullocks or tractor after which winnowing is needed to clean the seed.

YIELD

A good crop can produce about 100 maunds or 4 tons per hectare of seed depending upon the variety, season and agronomic practices applied is expected from rapeseed and mustard crops.

STORAGE

Damp or green seed are impurities in the seeds can be a problem especially when weather conditions at harvest are unpredictable. Ventilation of seed in a store is essential in order prevent heating. It is recommended that seed should be dried properly at 9% moisture content, otherwise it will be damaged by fungi and insects and germination ability will be impaired.