Effect of seeding date on canola seed quality

Non-Peer ReviewedCanola (Brassica napus), a cool season crop, is very sensitive to heat particularly at the flowering stage of growth. Nutall et al. (1992) reported a 3°C increase in mean maximum daily temperature (21 to 24°C) during flowering resulted in a 0.4 tonne ha-1 decrease in seed yield. Canola sown in the Fall or mid-April flowers 18 to 24 days earlier and can yield up to 30% higher than can canola sown in mid-May (Johnson et al. 1998). Canola seed weights have averaged 30% and 20% higher for Fall and early spring seed dates, respectively, as compared to the late spring seeding date. These plants flower and mature in June and thereby escape midsummer heat and drought stresses. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of seeding date on the size, maturity, germination rate and emergence rate of canola seed