Improving canola establishment in dry conditions

TRIAL MANAGER: Richard Porter, AgXtra

FUNDER: SA Drought Hub

TIMEFRAME: One year – 2022-23

TRIAL OVERVIEW: This trial tests establishment of canola across three sowing dates and examines suitability of a range of canola varieties for the low rainfall cropping zone, incorporating hybrid and open pollinated varieties. There is also a comparison between new seed and grower-saved seed.
An economic analysis comparing the various options will be conducted by Pinion Advisory, including the cost of seed, fertiliser and oil bonuses. This will compare open-pollinated varieties where there is potential to sow retained seed vs hybrids and GM varieties which have high seed costs but may have higher yields and oil contents.