Effect of Planting Methods on Spring Canola (Brassica napus L.) Establishment and Yield in the Low‐Rainfall Region of the Pacific Northwest

Growers are becoming interested in producing canola (Brassica napusor B. rapa) in the dryland, wheat‐fallow region of the Pacific Northwest. Currently, agronomic research for spring canola in this region has not been initiated. This study evaluated the effect of no‐till planting methods on stand establishment, crop yield, and seed oil quantity of spring canola in Washington and Oregon in 2009 and 2010. The treatments included: double disk opener; broadcast; broadcast plus rolled; Kile opener; Cross‐Slot opener; and hoe opener (at Washington only). In this study, canola establishment was generally greatest with the double disk opener and least in the broadcast or broadcast plus rolled treatments at all four site‐years. Yield was least in the broadcast treatment and rolling broadcast seed increased yield only 50% of the time. In three out of four site‐years, canola planted with the various no‐till openers yielded higher than broadcast seed. The adoption of spring canola in the wheat‐fallow region of the Pacific Northwest would improve pest management strategies, diversify markets, and increase sustainability.