Monday, November 13, 2006
21-9

Agronomic Research Pertaining to Winter Canola Production in Southern Illinois.

Michael Schmidt, Jarrett Nehring, Jim Klein, and Catherine Schmidt. Plant and Soil Science Dept, Southern Illinois Univ, Carbondale, IL 62901

This poster presents the results of two independent studies.  This first study tested the yield effect of three planting dates (early September, mid September, late September – early October), two seeding rates (9 vs. 11.2 kg per hectare) and three nitrogen rates (90, 134, and 179 kg per hectare) as a factorial experiment.  Planting date served as the main plot with seeding and nitrogen rates combined and randomized as sub plots.  Plots consisted of 6 rows, planted within a space 1.2 m wide and 7.6 m long.  Soil test levels were maintained at 60+ kg per hectare phosphorous and 270+ kg per hectare potassium.  Nitrogen levels consisted of 25 kg per hectare applied pre-plant with the remaining amount required to reach the desired treatment level applied in the spring prior to breakage of dormancy.  Trifluralin was applied prior to planting at 0.84 kg AI per hectare.  A significant effect was found for planting date and nitrogen rate.  No seeding rate difference was identified and to interaction between treatment levels was discerned.  The September planting dates produced 1803 kg per hectare greater yield than the October date.  Fall stand establishment scores were taken with the first and second planting dates (89% and 86%, respectively) being highly significant over the third planting date (45%).  Winter survival of the first and second planting dates was also highly significantly better (84% for both) than the third (60%). The second study was developed to test the performance of winter canola vs. wheat when planted after corn vs. soybean, under minimum tillage and no tillage situations.  The effects of these factors relative to the production of double crop soybean will also be tested.  The results for the first of several cropping cycles will be available after harvest of 2006 and will be reported.