Flooding Effects on Different Canola Varieties in the Interlake
BASIC
This study was planned to determine how different canola varieties perform under excess moisture
conditions. Six commercially grown canola varieties (RR and liberty link traits) were evaluated, and were flooded throughout the growing season. These varieties were also grown under ideal conditions (on tile drainage land) for comparisons.
Test Canola varieties suffered significant yield losses from flooding. Flooded plots had shorter plants, which took more days to mature. In addition, canola plants had greater lodging, when grown under flooded conditions. In the current study, no canola variety exhibited flooding tolerance.
Interlake region is known for extreme moisture conditions. Often, soils are poorly drained due to presence of heavy clay and crops suffer yield losses due to flooding. PESAI site has Fyala soil and this soil type is considered as Class -3 agricultural capability due to limitations in high moisture conditions. Fyala soil is a poorly drained soil due to presence of clay particles throughout the profile. Wet soils cause an oxygen deficiency, which reduces root respiration and growth in canola plants (Canola Council of Canada). Canola is quite susceptible to water logging and shows a yield reduction with additional effects on days to maturity and plant height if exposed to excess moisture in the earlier phase of crop growth. With wet conditions, roots may be shallow and not able to access nutrients once the soils begin to dry. A few days in waterlogged soil can be enough to kill canola plants, and yield loss is certain, although as canola plants age, they tend to be more resilient.