Producers Gear Up for the 2025 Canola Harvest

As July unfolds, canola producers are in a race against time to shield their crops and maximize yield ahead of the upcoming harvest. With plants entering their crucial blooming phase, ensuring their health and vitality is paramount.

Sclerotinia: The Canola Grower's Arch-Nemesis

In the latest Canola Watch from the Canola Council of Canada, agronomist Chris Manchur highlights a significant threat: Sclerotinia. Identified as one of the top four diseases affecting canola, this aggressive fungal disease poses a danger during the flowering stage.

"Sclerotinia can wreak havoc at a critical time, and we need to be vigilant in our control efforts," Manchur warns. He stresses the importance of strategic fungicide application, tailored to both timing and necessity based on the weather conditions.

Understanding Sclerotinia and Its Conditions

Sclerotinia, scientifically known as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, manifests as white mold, progressively damaging the plant. This disease thrives in cold, wet, and humid conditions, making crop monitoring essential. If environmental conditions are conducive, applying fungicide is advised once economic thresholds are reached.

Heat Stress: The Flip Side of Weather Challenges

Conversely, hot and dry spells limit Sclerotinia's spread but introduce their own challenges, such as heat blast. Producers in the Prairies have faced these harsh realities in recent years, with excessive heat preventing crops from realizing their full potential. However, Manchur remains optimistic, asserting that proactive plant management can bolster canola's resilience against heat.

Nutrition: The Key to Robust Canola Plants

"A healthy canola plant is a happy canola plant," Manchur emphasizes. Adequate nutrition, including essential micronutrients and macronutrients, along with sufficient moisture, can mitigate stressors like heat. Proper preparation is crucial before entering critical growth stages.

Stay informed by checking the full Canola Watch released by the Canola Council of Canada. For more insights on managing Sclerotinia or combating heat blast in canola, don't hesitate to visit their official website.