Feasibility of boron fertilization on canola in the Saskatchewan parkland

Abstract

Canola is the principal cash crop in the Parkland zone of western Canada. In the Saskatchewan Parkland, many producers are experiencing a reduction in canola yields on their farms. Failure of canola to develop flower buds and poor seed set have been reported. This is suspected to be due to deficiency of B in soil, particularly in sandy soils in the Carrot River region. The objective of this study was to find if low canola yields in northeastern Saskatchewan are due to B deficiency in soil. To determine if canola yields can be optimized by B fertilization using different rates, times and methods of B fertilizer application.