Canola Genotypes and Harvest Methods Affect Seedbank Addition

Abstract

Seed loss in canola [Brassica napus L., B. rapa L., and B. juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss.], which includes seed shatter and seeds in unopened dropped pods, leads to yield reductions and seed dispersal into the soil seedbank. The volunteer canola can then become a weed in the subsequent crops and cause yield losses. The objective of this study was to evaluate canola genotypes, harvest methods, and commercial pod sealant products to reduce canola seedbank addition. Field trials were conducted at Saskatoon, SK, Canada, in 2010 and 2011. The effect of harvest methods (untreated direct harvested [DH], Pod Ceal treated DH, Pod‐Stik‐treated DH, and windrowed) on seed loss in four B. napus genotypes (5440, 45H26, 5020, 4362), and a canola quality B. juncea (8571) were evaluated. Results showed that there were differences in seedbank addition among the canola genotypes in each year. The B. napus Genotypes 5440 and 45H26 were found to have lesser seedbank addition than other genotypes. Neither of the two pod sealant products reduced seed loss in canola. The windrowed canola had higher seedbank addition than the DH canola. This study indicated that direct harvesting can be a viable option for canola in western Canada and canola seedbank addition could be minimized by growing genotypes with improved shattering tolerance.