Cropping Q&A from the Chouteau County Extension Office

• Where can I find a good local resource on canola production? The Canola Production Field Pocket Guide from NDSU Extension is a valuable tool for any producer raising canola. The pocket guide addresses issues from hybrid selection, growth and fertilizing, disease, insect and weed control, harvesting and storing. The field guide also has a photo section with pictures of weeds, insects and diseases. The “Canola Production Field Guide” (A-1280) was partially funded by the Northern Canola Growers Association and produced by the North Dakota State University Extension Service.

• When do I plant canola in Chouteau County? The minimum soil temperature for germination is 38 degrees. Soil temperature will determine the length of time from planting to emergence. If soil temperatures average in the low 40’s after planting, canola will take 17 to 21 days to emerge. If temperatures average in the low 50’s, canola will take approximately 10 days to emerge (NDSU Extension Canola Production Field Pocket Guide).

• How important is it that I use a seed treatment on my spring wheat? Seed treatments promote seedling establishment and help reduce loss of yield and quality due to pathogens and insects. The ability of seed treatments to control fungal diseases has made them a success story of disease prevention. One example of seed treat success is smut and bunt fungal diseases, which caused yield and quality reductions in grain growing regions worldwide. The use of effective seed treatments has reduced the severity of smut and bunt damage to the point their impacts are minimal. Fungicidal seed treatments control fungi residing on the seed surface or inside the seed and are also effective against pathogens that reside in the soil. Soil pathogens cause seedling disease and root rot. Seed treatments are the least expensive and safest methods of pest control because they are better targeted and more effective for a wider range of diseases and insect pests (MSU Extension Montguide MT199608AG, Small Grain Seed Treatment Guide).

• I’m unhappy with my herbicide performance

. Could water quality be an issue? Pesticide antagonism may result from water that is acidic, alkaline, has excess minerals, or contains suspended soil particles. Pesticide mixtures are often composed of greater than 95 percent spray solution. Even a slight variation in water quality can have a significant impact on pesticide performance. For example, weak acid pesticides such as 2,4-D amine or glyphosate break down quickly to smaller molecules when mixed in an alkaline water solution greater than 7 pH. Applicators should keep in mind that pH of water sources can change with time and should be reassessed periodically. Buffering agents or acidifiers can be used to lower the pH of the spray solution from alkaline to 6.0-6.5 pH for weakly acidic pesticides (MSU Extension Montguide MT 201305AG, Pesticide Performance and Water Quality).

Montana State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Montana Counties Cooperating. MSU Extension is an equal opportunity/affirmative action provider of educational outreach.