Source: UNIV OF IDAHO submitted to NRP
IMPROVING CANOLA PRODUCTION AND PRODUCTION SYSTEMS WITH GENETIC AND AGRONOMIC ADVANCES TO INCREASE CANOLA ACREAGE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1027427
Grant No.
2021-38624-35751
Cumulative Award Amt.
$939,069.00
Proposal No.
2021-05511
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2021
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2025
Grant Year
2024
Program Code
[HW]- Supplemental and Alternative Crops
Recipient Organization
UNIV OF IDAHO
875 PERIMETER DRIVE
MOSCOW,ID 83844-9803
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Pacific Northwest (PNW) dryland agriculture is dominated by small-grain cereals. Few adapted rotational crops are available and there are increasing concerns about the long-term sustainability of monoculture cereal production. Canola yields in the PNW are the highest in the US. However, this region also produces the highest wheat yields, so convincing growers to try new crops can be difficult. This project will increase canola productivity and grower profitability by: (1) Developing superior cultivars with higher yield and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses; (2) Identifying and quantifying economic and environmental rotational benefits of canola in cereal rotations, including developing multi-year enterprise budgets; (3) Quantify yield loss due to blackleg infestation, determine the effectiveness and economic thresholds for fungicidal disease control, and continue to investigate the epidemiology of L. maculans to aid in developing disease control strategies; and (4) Deliver results and educational information to growers and the canola industry as well as conduct large-scale, on-farm agronomic research to explore the genetic potential of the most adapted canola cultivars. To increase canola acreage, we will provide growers with the necessary extension and outreach to educate new and more experienced producers on best management practices to optimize profitability. Results from this project will encourage more growers to include canola in their cereal rotations, offering more crop diversity and greater long-term farm stability, and environmental stewardship.
Animal Health Component
80%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
20%
Applied
80%
Developmental
0%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2011848108160%
2051848116015%
2051848102015%
2051848301010%
Goals / Objectives
The overarching goal of this project is to further yield enhancements and increase acreage of canola in the PNW using improvements in both breeding and agronomy. The specific goals include development of genetically adapted cultivars with high yield potential and resistance or tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress factors that prevail in the PNW; reducing risk of canola crop failure or loss due to biotic and abiotic (cold, heat, drought) stress factors; qualification and quantification of canola rotational benefits; and determining best management practices for growers to maximize profitability and sustainability in growing canola in rotation with wheat. The region has many different eco-environments, including very dry (less than 12 inches of annual rainfall, requiring summer fallow to raise any crop), to intermediate and high rainfall (greater than 16 inches of annual rainfall where annual cropping is most common), and irrigated production. No other canola growing region in the world has such a diverse range of production environments.Objectives:1. Develop and identify canola cultivars that afford the highest productivity and greatest profitability for different agronomic zones in the PNW.2. Quantify the effects of growing canola in rotations with wheat in the PNW.3. Determine the effect of blackleg (Leptosphaeria maculans) infection on canola yield, and the effectiveness of seed and foliar fungicide treatments to control blackleg.4. Extension and outreach of research into production agriculture, including conducting large-scale on-farm agronomic trials to optimize genetic potential of the most adapted canola cultivars and use these trials for education and outreach to introduce new genetics and expand canola production in the PNW.
Project Methods
Objective 1: We will use a wide range of breeding methodologies to develop and test new cultivars of canola that aregenetically superior and highly adapted to the PNW region. Better-adapted cultivars will return greater profit to growers, andhence increase canola acreage in the region. Our breeding methods are primarily based on hybridization between selectedparents, followed by recurrent phenotypic selection and inbreeding. We will utilize mutagenesis, microsporagenesis, andintergeneric hybridization. We will also expand on existing high-throughput molecular marker-assisted selections (MAS) andquantitative trait loci to identify novel genes and genotypes, thus accelerating future cultivar development. Cultivar developmentwill emphasize adaptation to PNW agronomic zones. Selection criteria will include high seed yield and seed oil content,improved oil and seed meal quality. We will utilize associated genomics research to aid in marker assisted selection. In additionwe will use transgenic technology to develop cold- and drought-tolerant canola varieties. Seed companies and breeding groups worldwide will be invited to submit winter and spring canola cultivars and advanced breeding lines for performance testing throughout the PNW to identify new, improved cultivars for commercial release in the varied climates and environments that exist throughout the PNW.Objective 2: Spring canola rotation trials: A large long-term study was initiated in 2014 examining spring canola (SC), chickpea (CP), and spring wheat (SW) in rotation with recrop winter wheat (WW) and then SW. This site has already gone through two complete rotations and a third one will be initiated and subsequent crop production will be assessed. Data collection includes yield, grain quality and economic performance within the three rotations including gross returns and production costs of the three treatment crops and subsequent crop production. The treatment plots are seeded with a plot drill and harvested with a commercial combine. Subsequent crops are seeded and harvested with commercial equipment. The study is a RCBD with 4 replications and plots are 200 ft long and 25 ft wide. Data on input costs, yield, quality, and crop prices will be collected to determine potential two-year profitability of the crops grown. The wheat crops will be monitored for plant-growth parameters, weed infestation, and disease incidence. Winter canola rotation trials: A study will be initiated to focus on the impact of using commercially available mycorrhizal fungi seed treatments following winter canola and winter wheat to improve spring wheat production. In the initial year, two separate RCBD studies with four replications will be established in winter canola and winter wheat residue. In the following year, a split block study with four replications will be established to examine spring wheat following both winter canola and winter wheat. This 2-year cycle will be repeated at least twice. Main blocks will be 24 ft long and 18 ft wide and sub-plots will be 24 ft long and 5.5 ft wide. The three treatments will be spring wheat treated with 1) no mycorrhizal fungi check, 2) MycroGold Wheat Blend mycorrhizal fungi seed treatment, and 3) MycoApply EndoMaxx endomycorrhizal fungi seed treatment. Plots will be seeded with a small plot no-till drill and harvested with a small plot combine. Yield and economic performance will be collected on the treatment crops (winter canola and winter wheat). Yield, grain quality, and economic data will be collected on the subsequent spring wheat crop.Objective 3: The effectiveness of seed and foliar fungicides on blackleg incidence and the seasonal movement of Leptosphaeria maculans will be examined at two to three locations in northern Idaho in areas with high blackleg incidence. In the first study, two winter canola cultivars with known and varying degrees of blackleg resistance will be evaluated in field trials. Each cultivar will be grown with four treatments: (1) no fungicide control, (2) fall fungicide application, (3) spring fungicide application, and (4) fall and spring fungicide application. The experimental design will be a four-replicate split-plot design where main-plots are assigned to fungicide treatments and split-plots are assigned to cultivars. In the second study, two winter canola cultivars will be grown in field trials with and without seed fungicide treatments. The experimental design will be a four-replicate split-plot design where main-plots are assigned to cultivars and split-plots are assigned to fungicide seed treatments. The final trial will explore the efficacy of several active ingredients to reduce the incidence and severity of blackleg. Most growers currently use the least expensive fungicide to keep costs low, but do not consider the effectiveness of the fungicides or potential for developing fungicide resistance by using only one mode of action. Two winter canola cultivars will be grown in fields and sprayed with different fungicide products that have varying active ingredients and/or modes of action. The trial will be a split-plot design with main-plots assigned to fungicides and split-plots assigned to cultivars with four replications. In all fungicide trials, blackleg leaf spot incidence will be measured at the rosette stage in the fall and prior to bolting in the spring, and stem canker severity will be assessed at maturity. Stems will be systematically selected, uprooted, transversely cut near the soil line, and evaluated for the degree of internal stem decay caused by blackleg. At maturity, plots will be harvested and a subsample of seed will be taken from each plot to determine seed oil content. Burkard spore samplers will be deployed at locations in Idaho and Latah Counties to monitor L. maculans spore movement. This automated spore sampler will collect samples daily and will be operated throughout the fall and into the spring months, monitoring for both conidia and ascospores. Following DNA extraction, the presence and quantity of L. maculans and L. biglobosa will be determined using qPCR. A weather station will be deployed at each spore sampling location to collect data on air temperature, precipitation, and humidity.Objective 4: The large-scale winter and spring canola variety trials will be held at four different locations and include four to six of the highest yielding commercially available cultivars in the region. Each variety will be replicated in four strips (30'to 40 feet x 400 to 600 feet) arranged in a RCDB. The primary data collected in the large-scale trials will yield and seed quality. Additional observations of agronomic importance will be collected at 16 geo-referenced locations within each "strip" throughout the growing season. The geo-referenced locations are used to record agronomically significant observations. For spring canola, these observations will include stand establishment, flowering date, pod count, tissue samples, and the pest ratings. In winter canola, stand establishment, fall crown height, winter survival, stem splitting, tissue samples, and pest ratings will be taken. Each of these variables will be assessed in terms of both spatial variability across the field as well as between varieties. Educational sessions will consist of targeted plenary talks, smaller concurrent sessions (crop management, value-added crop products, economics, marketing), and poster sessions. All performance results along with variety performance, crop rotation, optimized production practices, and economic information will be available on websites and in newsletters. Enterprise budgets for these crops will be added to current sets of cost and return estimates for each state and then disseminated to industry and grower groups. We will continue to develop and add new information to the PNW Canola Production Manual, a comprehensive overview of all aspects of growing and marketing canola crops.

Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:The primary target audience includes stakeholders involved in canola production in the rainfed areas of the inland Pacific Northwest (PNW). This includes farmers, crop commodity groups, crop consultants, and companies associated with agriculture in the region. Other audience members include researchers from both the public and private sectors, and those individuals or groups interested in canola production in the PNW. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Three graduate students conducted research in plant breeding/genetics, molecular genetics and/or plant pathology. Six undergraduate students were trained in aspects of laboratory, greenhouse and field trials throughout the summer and as part-time employees during the academic year. There were also six technicians that contributed to the research and extension efforts on a part-time basis and participated in varying degrees in field days and workshops to gain knowledge about canola production and breeding. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results of these studies have been disseminated using a variety of means including presentations at Cereal Schools, grower meetings, workshops, field days, and professional meetings. Approximately 1,225 direct contacts were made with stakeholdersthrough these various educational events held in Idaho, Washington and Montana. Information on variety trials was reported on the University of Idaho canola website and the PNW Canola Association website as well as handed out as flyers and field days and Cereal Schools. It is vital that this knowledge be delivered widely to local growers and the industry so that innovative ideas can be readily adopted by growers to increase success of canola production and acreage. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?No significant changes from the proposal are planned and we will continue to conduct research and extension trials as outlined in the proposal and addressing the four objectives discussed in this report.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Obj. 1: Approximately 120 F3 entries (80 winter canola and 40 winter industrial rapeseed) were planted in the fall of 2023 at Moscow. Due to mild winter temperatures, no winter damage was observed among the entries in the spring of 2024. The F7 winter canola lines were dropped in 2023 due to poor winter survival and inadequate seed yield during the 2022-23 growing season. Advanced yield trials for 16 F6/F10 lines were planted in two locations in the fall of 2023. The plants are currently at the late flowering stage. Six F6 lines have been selected for seed increase for advanced yield trials. For spring canola, 28 F4 spring canola lines were evaluated for seed yield in 2023 and 12 were selected for advancement based on yield performance. Bulk sample analysis of F5 seeds revealed that seven out of 12 entries have high glucosinolates, two are intermediate and three are low in glucosinolate. F5 seeds from seven entries low in erucic acid were planted in the greenhouse during the winter of 2024. Selected 110 F6 lines were planted at the Moscow, ID research farm in the spring of 2024. Half seed analysis for erucic acid was conducted with seeds of five high-yielding F5 entries out of 12 selected. Three entries with high yield, low glucosinolate and low erucic acid were included in the PNW spring variety trials for 2024. Yield trials with 12 F5 entries and two checks were planted at two locations in northern Idaho this spring. New crosses were made during the winter of 2024 targeting high yield and G2 herbicide resistance. Four high-yielding F5 lines and four UI-released lines (two rapeseed and two canola) were used as parents in the crosses. Other research activities have been focused on using a transgenic approach to exploit novel and PPR-type resistance genes to improve resistance to blackleg disease and abiotic stresses. Standard crossings were conducted between homozygous Br1033-OX-4 and Br8468-OX-5 lines to pyramid PPR genes. F1 plants containing both Br1033 and Br8486 transgenes were obtained and verified by PCR assay. More than 120 F1 hemizygous seeds were sowed on MS medium containing kanamycin to select transgenes. During vernalization of these lines, more than 100 seedlings were verified by PCR assay. Genomic DNA was isolated from 102 seedlings, more than 400 PCR reactions were conducted using both Br1033 and Br8486 transgene-specific primers. More than 80 transgenic plants harboring both Br1033 and Br8486 transgenes were identified, transported to the greenhouse for maturation, and seeds have been collected. We have begun to further verify the F3 populations to obtain Br1033-OX/Br8486-OX homozygous transgenic populations for pathogen assay. To improve the abiotic stress tolerance in winter canola varieties, transgenic canola lines were developed that overexpress both RC12A and Br1033 transgenes. F2 populations have been generated and we are currently verifying the homozygous RC12A-OX/Br1033-OX transgenic canola lines. Our research results provide proof-of-concept for genetically engineering canola for improved blackleg-resistance and abiotic tolerance. Winter canola variety trials for the 2023-24 growing season were seeded in the fall of 2023 at four locations in Idaho and Washington. Fall growth was excellent at all four sites and crops are currently at the late flowering stage. Winter injury was only observed at the Davenport site in Washington and cultivars with cold tolerance performed similarly in 2023 and 2024. A UI-bred winter canola line 16.WC.105.14.12 show promise as a particularly winter hardy line for future evaluation. For 2024, 38 spring canola entries from multiple private sources and the UI canola breeding program are being evaluated at eight locations in Idaho and Washington. In addition, a spring canola variety trial was established in Montana that included 21 entries. Yield trial data generated by these trials are used by growers and seed dealers to determine regional adaptability of new cultivars to optimize performance of winter and spring canola in the region. Obj. 2: A large long-term study was initiated in 2014 to examine spring canola, chickpea, and spring wheat in rotation with recrop winter wheat and then spring wheat. This site has already gone through two complete rotations (years 1-6) and a third one (years 7-9) has been initiated. We have a location with Year 9 (spring wheat) planted and a location with Year 10 planted (treatment plots) and subsequent crop production is being assessed. The original location initiated in 2014 was dropped because of a heavy downy brome population and a new location was established in 2023 with spring pea replacing SW. Data collection this summer will include yield, grain quality and economic performance between the three rotations, including gross returns and production costs of the three treatment crops and subsequent crop production. The treatment plots were seeded in April 2024 with a plot drill and will be harvested with a commercial combine. This year the study was altered, and spring wheat was replaced with spring pea because the spring wheat treatment had a severe downy brome infestation. Subsequent winter wheat crop was seeded in September 2023 with a commercial no-till drill and plots will be harvest with a commercial combine. Obj. 3: Fungicide field trials were established at three locations in northern Idaho. The purpose of these trials is to examine the efficacy of different foliar fungicides to manage blackleg in winter canola. Canola was planted in the fall of 2023 and all fungicide applications were made in early April of 2024 at all locations with the exception of a Priaxor Xemium treatment that was applied in both the fall and spring. The treatments include Priaxor Xemium at high rate applied in both the fall and the spring, Priaxor Xemium at high rate in spring only, Quadris at high rate, Miravis Neo, Tilt at high rate, and a no fungicide control. Disease assessment and agronomic measurements will be collected. Disease incidence was extremely low in 2023 due to warm and dry spring conditions. Despite some leaf lesions early in the season, there were no stems with blackleg symptoms and significant difference in yield between treatments. Previous fungicide efficacy results demonstrated that only Miravis Neo and Priaxor Xemium applied twice during the growing season significantly reduced disease incidence, although all fungicide treatments had lower disease incidence than the non-treated control. Burkard spore samplers were deployed at two winter canola fields for a fifth year of sampling. The traps were deployed in August of 2023 and were in operation until December of 2023. The traps were redeployed in March of 2024 as snow melted and temperatures began to warm. Tapes collected from these traps have been sectioned into daily segments and are awaiting microscopic examination as well as processing using qPCR to determine the quantity of L. maculans present and dates when spores were released. Weather stations are deployed at each of the field sites to monitor air temperature, precipitation and humidity. Data from previous years suggest that ascospores are being released in both the fall and spring months in northern Idaho. Obj. 4: Large-scale winter and spring canola variety trials were established in Washington for harvest in 2024 and will be used as part of education events in 2024. A number of educational events occurred during the winter months in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. These included grower meetings, workshops, field days and other extension education programs. Topics relevant to canola production included crop establishment, disease and insect management, weed management, fertility, harvest, and general research updates.

Publications

  • Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Esser, A.D. and D.P. Appel. 2024. WSU Wilke Research and Extension Farm production and economic performance 2023. Washington State University Extension. Technical Bulletin.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Schroeder, K. L., Janowski, K., Pickard, J., and Paulitz, T. C. 2023. Genetic Diversity of Leptosphaeria maculans in the Pacific Northwest and Implications for Canola Breeding. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual/ U.S. Canola Association Joint Meeting, Oct 29-Nov 1, St. Louis, MO.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Schroeder, K. L., Janowski, K., and Davis, J. B. 2023. Optimizing Management of Leptosphaeria maculans in Winter Canola using Fungicides. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual/ U.S. Canola Association Joint Meeting, Oct 29-Nov 1, St. Louis, MO.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2023 Citation: Chen, C. Canola Variety Performance in Eastern Montana. Montana Grain Growers Association Annual Conference, Great Falls, MT. November 28-30, 2023.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2024 Citation: Khadka, K. Pacific Northwest Winter and Spring Canola Variety Trials Results, 2023. Cropping Systems Conference, Kennewick, WA. January 9-10, 2024.


Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience includes stakeholders involved in canola production in the dryland, rainfed areas of the inland Pacific Northwest (PNW). This includes farmers, crop commodity groups, crop consultants, and companies assoicated with agriculture in the region. Other audience members include researchers from both the public and private sectors, and those individuals or groups interested in canola production in the PNW. Changes/Problems:Five large-scale variety trials were planned in Washington during the fall of 2022 and spring of 2023. However, due to the departure of a WSU faculty, only one large-scale spring canola trial was established. Data collection including yield and postharvest quality will be measured in 2023. Plans are underway to hire a replacement that will take over management of the large-scale variety trials in 2023-2024. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two graduate students conducted reserach in plant breeding/genetics, molecular genetics and plant pathology. Six undergraduate students were trained in aspects of laboratory, greenhouse and field trials as full-time employees over the summer and part-time during the school year How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?It is crucial that the knowledge generated by this project is delivered to local growers and industry so that innovative ideas can be readily adopted by the growers to increase acreage. Since the start of the project information on canola production has been presented at Cereal Schools (138), grower meetings (340), and field days (106). Information on variety trials was reported on the University of Idaho canola website and the PNW Canola Association website. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue to conduct research and extension trials as outlined in the proposal and addressing the four objectives discussed in this report.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Obj. 1: Approximately 110 F1 crosses of winter canola were advanced to the F2 generation and the F2 seed was planted in the greenhouse in early 2023 to produce F3 seed for field planting in August 2023. The parents included newly transformed GMO lines carrying durable pattern recognition receptor (PPR) type disease resistance genes or a cold stress-related gene. F5 and F7 winter canola breeding populations were grown at two locations and evaluated for yield performance. Of six advanced winter canola lines tested in 2022, three lines were retained for further evaluation at five regional sites during the 2022-23 growing season. Unusually cold temperatures with little snow cover were experienced in early 2023, allowing for good quality notes on winter survival to be collected in the spring of 2023. For spring canola, F3 seed was produced from 26 cross combinations in the greenhouse and the resulting 90 F3 populations were seeded in the field in the spring of 2023. Selected lines and harvested F4 seed for spring planting and further field evaluation in 2023. Planted F4 yield trials at two locations in northern Idaho for the 2023 crop year along with a seed increase to produce F5 seed. Tested seed from F6 population for oil quality and grew 24 lines from each family in the field to produce F7 seed in 2022. Selected lines from this F7 populations were planted in the field in 2023 for further evaluation. Two F7 lines were advanced to regional testing trials in 2023. Grew and evaluated eleven F6 white-flowered spring Brassica napus lines in the field with yield trials at two locations. Screened lines for flower color and evaluated oil quality in the greenhouse. Two PPR genes (Br1033 and Br8468) have been successfully cloned and are highly induced by Leptosphaeria maculans. These genes were pyramided into a single transgenic line by crossing. F1 plants containing both Br1033 and Br8486 were verified by PCR. More than 120 F1 hemizygous seeds were sown on MS medium to select transgenes. After vernalization and PCR analysis, 80 transgenic plants were confirmed to contain both transgenes. Work will continue to produce a homozygous transgenic population with both transgenes. Once homozygous transgenic populations are produced, the populations will be used for pathogen assays. To improve the abiotic stress tolerance in winter canola varieties, cold- and drought-tolerant gene RC12A was previously introduced into Athena winter canola. In the past year, quantitative PCR was used to select two transgenic lines that expressed RC12A transgene (termed RC12A-OX-1 and RC12A-OX-2) at the highest levels. RC12A-OX-1 and RC12A-OX-2 were advanced to the T3 generation and homozygous populations have been obtained. The initial evaluation of cold tolerance will be conducted in the greenhouse. Seed oil and protein content analyses were completed from all winter and spring canola entries included in the 2022 PNW Variety Trials. Yield and quality data from these trials was disseminated to interested parties, and the yield data was posted on the UI website and the PNW Canola Association website. Variety trial results from 2010 to 2022 have been compiled for an online database project that was funded by a NIFA-FACT project. For the 2023 growing season, trials were coordinated across Idaho, Washington and Oregon. Winter canola trials consist of 24 entries at five locations, including three sites in Idaho and two in Oregon. The spring canola trials consist of 38 entries planted at nine sites in the Pacific Northwest. These include four locations in Idaho, two in Washington, two in Oregon, and one in Montana. Obj. 2. Spring canola rotation trials: A large long-term study was initiated in 2014 to examine spring canola, chickpea, and spring wheat in rotation with recrop winter wheat and then spring wheat. This site has already gone through two complete rotations (years 1-6) and a third one (years 7-9) has been initiated. We have a location with Year 7 (treatment crops) planted and a location with Year 8 planted winter wheat and subsequent crop production is being assessed. Data collection this summer will include yield, grain quality and economic performance between the three rotations, including gross returns and production costs of the three treatment crops and subsequent crop production. The treatment plots were seeded in April 2023 with a plot drill and will be harvested with a commercial combine. This year the study was altered, and spring wheat was replaced with spring pea because the spring wheat treatment had a severe downy brome infestation. Subsequent winter wheat crop was seeded in September 2022 with a commercial no-till drill and plots will be harvest with a commercial combine. Winter canola rotation trials: A second multi-year study was initiated to focus on spring wheat with and without the application of two commercially available mycorrhizal fungi seed treatments following winter canola or winter wheat to determine if previously documented yield declines in spring wheat following winter canola can be reduced and or eliminated. Two separate randomized, complete block design studies with four replications were established in winter canola and winter wheat residue in April 2023. The three treatments are spring wheat treated with (1) no mycorrhizal fungi check, (2) MycroGold Wheat Blend mycorrhizal fungi seed treatment and (3) MycoApply EndoMaxx endomycorrhizal fungi seed treatment. Yield and economic performance will be collected on the treatment crops (winter canola and winter wheat). Yield, grain quality, and economic data will be collected on the subsequent spring wheat crop to examine rotational values with and without mycorrhizal applications. Obj. 3. Fungicide field trials were established at three locations in northern Idaho (Genesee, Moscow, Nezperce). The trial consists of eight treatments and four replications. All fungicides applications were made in early April of 2023 at all locations with the exception of a Priaxor Xemium treatment that was applied in both the fall and spring. The treatments include Priaxor Xemium at high rate applied in both the fall and the spring, Priaxor Xemium at high rate in spring only, Quadris at high rate, Miravis Neo, Tilt at high rate, and a no fungicide control. Winter canola cultivar Amanda was used in all of the studies. Disease assessment and yield performance will be collected during 2023. The site at Genesee was severely damaged by freezing injury in January 2023 and was terminated. From the 2022 evaluation of fungicide efficacy, all treatments reduced the incidence of blackleg, but Miravis New and Priaxor Xemium applied twice during the growing season significantly reduced disease incidence. There was no significant difference in yield between treatments. Burkard spore samplers were deployed at two winter canola fields (Moscow and Nezperce) for a fourth year of sampling. Tapes collected from these traps have been sectioned into daily segments and are awaiting microscopic examination as well as processing using qPCR to determine the quantity of L. maculans present and dates when spores were released. Weather stations are deployed at each of the field sites to monitor air temperature, precipitation and humidity. Obj. 4. A number of educational events occurred during the winter months through summer in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. These included grower meetings, workshops, field days and other extension education programs. Topics relevant to canola production included crop establishment, disease and insect management, weed management, fertility, harvest, and general research updates. Approximately 566 stakeholders participated in these events. Significant progress was made on the PNW Canola Production Guide. While behind the anticipated schedule, a final draft of the document is nearing completion.

Publications

  • Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Esser, A.D. and D.P. Appel. 2023. WSU Wilke Research and Extension Farm production and economic performance 2022. Washington State University Extension. Technical Bulletin.


Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience includes stakeholders involved in canola production in the dryland, rainfed areas of the inland Pacific Northwest (PNW). This includes farmers, crop commodity groups, crop consultants, and companies assoicated with agriculture in the region. Other audience members include researchers from both the public and private sectors, and those individuals or groups interested in canola production in the PNW. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two graduate students conducted reserach in plant breeding/genetics, molecular genetics and plant pathology. Seven undergraduate students were trained in aspects of laboratory, greenhouse and field trials as full-time employees over the summer and part-time during the school year. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?It is crucial that the knowledge generated by this project is delivered to local growers and industry so that innovative ideas can be readily adopted by the growers to increase acreage. Since the start of the project information on canola production has been presented at a workshop (113 attendees), a virtual Cereal School (107) and at several grower meetings (279). Information on variety trials was reported on the University of Idaho canola website and the PNW Canola Association website. Canola will be featured in numerous field day talks across the Pacific Northwest during the summer of 2022. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue to conduct research and extension trials as outlined in the proposal and addressing the four objectives discussed in this report.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Obj. 1: Approximately 120 F1 crosses of winter canola were generated in 2021 and F2 seed is currently being produced in the greenhouse. Eight F5 lines of winter canola are being grown in yield trials at two locations and 20 single plant selections from each line are being grown for seed increase. Differing winter survival was observed among these F5 lines. One advanced winter canola family was screened for herbicide resistance to Group 2 herbicides in the greenhouse. For spring canola, 55 F2 lines were grown in the greenhouse during the winter of 2021-22 and the resulting F3 seed was planted into field trials in May 2022 to advance the lines to the F4 generation. Five F4 lines that were selected in 2021 have been advanced to the F5 generation in the greenhouse with quality testing performed on the F5 and F6 seed. F6 seed has been planted in the field to increase seed. Two F6 lines that were selected in 2021 have been advanced to the F7 generation in the greenhouse with 160 plants grown from each line. F7 seed was evaluated for glucosinolate content, and F8 seed from each greenhouse-grown plant was evaluated for oil quality. F8 seed of selected plants from both lines have been planted in the field to produce pre-breeder seed. These lines are being evaluated at F7s in regional yield trials. Quality analyses were completed on 11 white-flowered F6 lines that were selected in 2021. Those lines with canola quality oil have been progeny tested in the greenhouse for flower color to produce non-segregating, white-flowered populations. Yields trials with the white flower lines have been planted at two sites, and a seed increase trial has been planted at one site to produce more seed for further yield testing. Two advanced winter canola lines are undergoing a second year of regional testing at six sites, and four selections from each line are being compared in yield trials at two sites. An additional advanced line is being tested in regional trials for the first time. Two F7 winter canola lines are also being tested in the regional trials for the first time, for a total of five UI winter canola lines in regional testing. Two F7 and five F5 spring canola lines are being evaluated in regional yield trials at eight sites. Seed of the five best lines (one F7 and four F5 lines) were also supplied to Dr. Chen at Montana State University for yield testing in Montana. More than 10 different transgenic lines have been generated in the winter canola cultivar Athena. Two lines which express Br1033 or Br8468 transgene at the highest level have been characterized and will be advanced to F2 homozygous population and used for the initial pathogen assay in the greenhouse. In addition, we have begun establishing the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system for introducing Br1033 and Br8468 into the spring canola cultivars Clearwater and Empire. For the 2022 growing season, the University of Idaho coordinated trials across Idaho, Washington and Oregon. Winter canola trials consist of 28 entries being grown at six locations. These include three sites in Idaho, one in Washington and two in Oregon. The spring canola trials consist of 38 entries that have been planted at eight sites in the Inland Pacific Northwest. In addition, a spring canola variety trial was established in Montana that includes entries from the University of Idaho breeding program as well as private companies. Data collected from these trials during the upcoming field season will include flowering date, mature plant height, lodging, seed yield, seed oil content, and protein content. Obj. 2. Spring canola rotation trials: A large long-term study was initiated in 2014 to examine spring canola, chickpea, and spring wheat in rotation with recrop winter wheat and then spring wheat. This site has already gone through two complete rotations (years 1-6) and a third one (years 7-9) has been initiated. We have a location with Year 7 (treatment crops) planted and a location with Year 8 planted winter wheat and subsequent crop production is being assessed. Data collection this summer will include yield, grain quality and economic performance between the three rotations, including gross returns and production costs of the three treatment crops and subsequent crop production. Winter canola rotation trials: A second multi-year study was initiated to focus on spring wheat with and without the application of two commercially available mycorrhizal fungi seed treatments following winter canola or winter wheat to determine if previously documented yield declines in spring wheat can be reduced and or eliminated. Two studies were established in winter canola and winter wheat residue in April 2022. The three treatments are spring wheat treated with (1) no mycorrhizal fungi check, (2) MycroGold Wheat Blend mycorrhizal fungi seed treatment and (3) MycoApply EndoMaxx endomycorrhizal fungi seed treatment. Yield and economic performance will be collected on the treatment crops (winter canola and winter wheat). Yield, grain quality, and economic data will be collected on the subsequent spring wheat crop to examine rotational values with and without mycorrhizal applications. Obj. 3. Two separate field trials were established at three locations in northern Idaho (Genesee, Moscow, Nezperce). The first of these studies is intended to examine the timing of foliar fungicide application to control blackleg in winter canola. This is the third and projected to be the last year for this trial. These studies were established in late summer of 2021 and include (1) no fungicide, (2) fall fungicide only, (3) spring fungicide only, and (4) fall and spring fungicide application. The trial consists of Amanda, which is susceptible to blackleg and Mercedes, which is moderately resistant to blackleg. During the coming growing season, this trial will be assessed for flowering date, plant height, seed yield, seed oil content and protein content. The plots will be monitored and assessed for blackleg incidence and severity. Trials were established for a second study at the same three locations mentioned above to examine the efficacy of different foliar fungicides to manage blackleg in winter canola. The trial consists of eight treatments and four replications. Winter canola cultivar Amanda was used in all of the studies and the seed was treated with Helix Vibrance. Disease assessment and agronomic measurements will be collected as described for the previous study. Burkard spore samplers were deployed at two winter canola fields (Genesee and Nezperce) in September of 2021 and were in operation until December of 2021. The traps were redeployed in March of 2022 as snow melted and temperatures began to warm. Tapes collected from these traps have been sectioned into daily segments and are awaiting microscopic examination as well as processing using qPCR to determine the quantity of L. maculans present. Obj. 4. Five large-scale variety trials were established in Washington during the fall of 2021 and spring of 2022. These include two winter canola trials and three spring canola trials. Data has been collected on winter survival for the winter canola trials. Data collection including yield and postharvest quality will be measured throughout 2022. A number of educational events occurred during the winter months in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. These included grower meetings, workshops, and other extension education programs. Topics relevant to canola production included crop establishment, disease and insect management, weed management, fertility, harvest, and general research updates. Approximately 576 stakeholders participated in these events. Canola will be featured in a number of field days across the region during the late spring and early summer of 2022. Significant progress is being made on the PNW Canola Production Guide. We anticipate completion of a final draft by the fall of 2022 and publication of the guide within the next year.

Publications

  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Davis, J.B., Job, A., and Brown, J. 2022. Effect of row spacing and seeding rate on spring canola yield in northern Idaho. In: 2022 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress (pp. 43-45). Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station, Technical Report UI-2022-1.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Davis, J.B., Job, A., and Kaya, J. 2022. Effect of plant growth regulator (PGR) treatments on early-seeded winter canola. In: 2022 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress (pp. 39-40). Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station, Technical Report UI-2022-1.
  • Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2022 Citation: Esser, A.D. and D.P. Appel. 2022. WSU Wilke Research and Extension Farm production and economic performance 2021. Washington State University Extension. Technical Bulletin.
  • Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Madsen, I.J., and Neely, C. 2022. Management Considerations and Potential for Dual-Purpose Canola Forage in the Pacific Northwest. WSU Extension Guide.
  • Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Madsen, I.J., Pan, W.L., Davis, Maaz, T.M., and Tao. 2022. Spring Canola Nutrient Management for the Inland Pacific Northwest. WSU Extension Guide.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: 2021 Regional Canola Variety Trial-Sidney, MT Site. In Regional Research Update. Edited by C. Chen and J. Bergman, NDSU-WREC and MSU-EARC.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: 2021 Statewide Canola Variety Trial Sidney, MT Site. In Regional Research Update. Edited by C. Chen and J. Bergman, NDSU-WREC and MSU-EARC.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Janowski, K. 2021. Understanding the Epidemiology and Genetic Diversity of Leptosphaeria maculans, and Exploring Chemical Control Strategies to Manage Blackleg of Winter Canola (Brassica napus) in Northern Idaho. MS Thesis, University of Idaho.