The 2023 SFS Variety x Management Canola trials focused on Canola’s ability to compensate after a slug damage event had impacted establishment. Different plants per m2 targets were used to simulate 0, 25, 50 and 75 percent of the crop being damaged by slugs which provide us with some interesting results.

In season assessments found that the lower the plant density, plants would grow more branches and have deeper podding depths indicating an ability to compensate and grow into the space left by the damaged plants.

Yield results from the trials showed despite the different levels of plant damage, all treatments yielded 3.9 t/ha or above and returned positive gross margins. Lower simulated damage like 25 % often yielded similar to the 0 % damage treatment due to the plants ability to compensate. A full report on the results for this trial can be found in the 2023 SFS trial results book (access here).

For 2024 we are looking to further investigate Canola’s ability to compensate after damage events. Two trials will be sown this year at Streatham with Clearfield and Triazine Tolerant varieties sponsored by SFS and partners. We would like to further investigate the compensation capabilities of canola varieties at different plant densities, further varying the densities to promote clearer results.

Follow these trials throughout the year in the eupdate and events at the trial sites.

By James Palmer, SFS Research & Extension