Rotational Effects
Canola is considered the most promising oilseed crop for diversifying wheat-based cropping systems in the Inland PNW. Acreage planted to canola in the Inland PNW has increased each year for the past 15 years. Canola serves as a break or non-host crop for many important soilborne pathogens of wheat and helps farmers control weeds. Most studies in the literature report that canola has a positive effective on subsequent wheat yield Degree of influence on soil biological properties and crop productivity is, however, crop specific.Long term cropping systems studies on wheat performance when canola was the previous crop have been conducted near Reardan and Ritzville, WA. Results show that wheat after canola generally has significantly less grain yield compared to wheat after wheat. Analysis of surface soils sampled every year revealed that canola led to decreased microbial biomass compared to wheat. Notably, mycorrhizal fungi and other fungi were reduced following canola. Canola is not a host of mycorrhizal fungi. Declines in viable microbial biomass could interrupt key microbial processes related to nutrient and water acquisition essential for optimal crop productivity.
DNA has been extracted from soil samples collected in 2020 and 2021 at the Ritzville site and will be analyzed for bacterial and fungal communities to identify differences following canola vs wheat. This will complement the phospholipid fatty acid analysis which is concurrently underway. The goal is to understand how canola may impact soil health, both positively and negatively. By understanding the cause of this phenomenon, we can understand the conditions under which it is a problem and possibly how it can be mitigated.
Extension Publications
Winter Canola Feasibility in Rotation with Winter Wheat
Winter wheat-summer fallow rotations are predominate in the dryland cropping region (< 12” of annual precipitation) of eastern Washington. Farmers in this region rely heavily on continuous applications of Group 2 herbicides for winter annual grassy weed control and suppression (see sidebar). This repeated application of Group 2 herbicides that includes Beyond, Maverick, Olympus, Olympus Flex, Osprey, and PowerFlex increases the potential for herbicide-resistant populations of winter annual grassy weeds such as downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.) and jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) (Campbell 2011).
- Schillinger, B., R. Jirava, T. Paulitz, J. Hansen, J. Jacobsen, and S. Schofstoll. 2021. Canola Rotation Effects on Soil Microbiology and Subsequent Wheat Yield. pg. 63. In 2021 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 21-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Esser, A.D., J. Brown, and J.B. Davis. 2020. Spring Canola and Chickpea Value in a Cereal Grain Rotation. p. 23. In 2020 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 20-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Friesen, M.L., T. Sullivan, T. Paulitz, H. Tao, B. Younginger, R.A. White III. 2020. Canola Variety Effects on Soil Health Mediated by Nutrients and the Microbiome. p. 20. In 2020 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 20-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Schillinger, B., J. Jacobsen, R. Jirava, J. Hansen, T. Paulitz, S. Schofstoll, and D. Huggins. 2020. Canola in Cereal-Based Rotations: Agronomy and Soil Microbiology Update from Ritzville. p. 30. In 2020 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 20-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Esser, A.D., J. Brown, and J.B. Davis. 2019. Spring Canola and Chickpea Value in a Cereal Grain Rotation. p. 20. In 2019 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 19-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Schillinger, B., J. Jacobsen, R. Jivava, T. Paulitz, J. Hansen, D. Schlatter, C. Rieser, and D. Huggins. 2019. Canola in Wheat-Based Rotations: Update from Two Long-Term Field Experiments Near Ritzville. p. 23. In 2019 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 19-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Schlatter, D., J. Hansen, B. Schillinger, and T. Paulitz. 2019. Yield Decline of Wheat After Canola: In Search of a Mircobial Cause. p. 23-24. In 2019 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 19-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Hansen, J., B. Schillinger, T. Sullivan, and T. Paulitz. 2018. Rhizosphere Microbial Communities of Canola and Wheat at Six Paired Field Sites. In 2018 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 18-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Hansen, J., B. Schillinger, T. Sullivan, and T. Paulitz. 2018. Soil Microbial Community Response with Canola Introduced into a Long-Term Monoculture Wheat Rotation. In 2018 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 18-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Schillinger, B., T. Paulitz, H. Johnson, J. Jacobsen, and S. Schofstoll. 2018. Canola Versus Wheat Rotation Effects on Subsequent Wheat Yield. In 2018 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 18-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Schlatter, D., J. Hansen, W. Schillinger, T. Sullivan, and T. Paulitz. 2018. The Rhizosphere Microbiome of Wheat and Canola in Eastern Washington. In 2018 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 18-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Hansen, J., B. Schillinger, T. Sullivan, and T. Paulitz. 2017. Rhizosphere Soil Microbial Communities of Winter Canola and Winter Wheat at Six Paired Field Sites in Eastern Washington. In 2017 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 17-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Hansen, J., B. Schillinger, A. Kennedy, and T. Sullivan. 2016. Rotational Effects of Winter Canola on Subsequent Spring Wheat as Related to the Soil Microbial Community. In 2016 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 16-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Hansen, J., T. Sullivan, B. Schillinger, and A. Kennedy. 2016. Comparison of Rhizosphere Soil Microbial Communities for Winter Canola and Winter Wheat at Paired Field Sites. In 2016 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 16-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Pan, W.L., F.L. Young, T.M. Maaz, and D.R. Huggins. 2016. Canola-Wheat Integration in the Inland Pacific Northwestern U.S. In 2016 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 16-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Schillinger, W., R. Jirava, J. Jacobsen, and S. Schofstoll. 2016. Two New Long-Term Winter Canola Cropping Systems Studies Established Near Ritzville, WA. In 2016 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 16-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Sharratt, B. and B. Schillinger. 2016. Soil Characteristics and Associated Wind Erosion Potential Altered by Oilseeds in Wheat-Based Cropping Systems. In 2016 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 16-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Esser, A.D., and D. Appel. 2014. Spring Canola in Rotation at WSU Wilke Farm. In 2014 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 14-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Guy, S., and M. Lauver. 2014. Rotational Influence of Spring Grown Brassica Biofuel and Other Crops on Winter Wheat. In 2014 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 14-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Pan, B., L. Young, and D. Appel. 2014. Oilseeds in Crop Rotation in the Intermediate Rainfall Zone. In 2014 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 14-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Schillinger, B., R. Jirava, J. Jacobsen, and S. Schofstoll. 2014. New Long-Term Winter Triticale, Winter Canola, and Winter Pea Cropping Systems Study Initiated Near Ritzville. In 2014 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 14-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Stubbs, T., A. Kennedy, and J. Hansen. 2014. Characterization and Decomposition of Residue from Winter and Spring Canola Cultivars. In 2014 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 14-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Guy, S. and M. Lauver. 2013. Rotational Influence of Brassica Biofuel and Other Crops on Winter Wheat. In 2013 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 13-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Schillinger, W., H. Johnson, J. Jacobsen, S. Schofstoll, A. Kennedy, and T. Paulitz. 2013. Winter Canola Rotation Benefit Experiment in the Intermediate Precipitation Zone. In 2013 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 13-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Sharratt, B.S., and W.F. Schillinger. 2013. Wind Erosion Potential from Oilseed Cropping Systems. In 2013 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 13-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Guy, S. and M. Lauver. 2012. Rotational Influence of Biofuel and Other Crops on Winter Wheat. In 2012 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech. Report 12-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Schillinger, B., J. Jacobsen, S. Schofstoll, and H. Johnson. 2012. Winter Canola Rotation Benefit Experiment. In 2012 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech. Report 12-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Sharratt, B. and W. Schillinger. 2012. Wind Erosion Challenges for Oilseed Cropping Systems. In 2012 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech. Report 12-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Esser, A. and R. Hennings. 2010. Winter Canola Feasibility in Rotation with Winter Wheat. In 2010 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech. Report 10-2, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Schillinger, W.F., T.A. Smith, S.E. Schofstoll, R. Jirava, and H. Johnson. 2009. Rotation Benefits of Winter Canola on the Subsequent Wheat Crop. In 2009 Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech. Report 09-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
- Schillinger, W.F., A.C. Kennedy, T.C. Paulitz, D.L. Young, and T.A. Smith. 2008. Winter Canola as a Rotation Crop in the Low and Intermediate Precipitation Zones. In 2008 Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech. Report 08-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
Click here to see all the CSS Field Day Abstracts.
- Young, F.L. 2012. Synching Chemical Rotation with Crop Rotation. Oral presentation in Pacific Northwest Oilseed Crop Adaptation session. Northwest Bioenergy Research Symposium. Seattle, WA. Nov. 13, 2012.
- Kennedy, A.C., T.L. Stubbs, W.F. Schillinger, and T.A. Smith. 2010. Soil Quality Differences Among Long-Term No-Till Irrigated Crop Rotations to Replace Burning and Plowing Continuous Wheat [CD-ROM]. Soil Science Society of America annual meeting, 31 Oct. – 3 Nov., Long Beach, CA. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Abstracts.
- Young, F.L. and K.E. Sowers. 2010. Introducing Winter Canola in the Wheat-Fallow Region of North Central Washington. American Society of Agronomy annual meeting, 31 Oct.-4 Nov., Long Beach, CA. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Abstracts 253-8.
- 2019 Annual WOCS Meeting
- Incorporating Oilseeds in Intermediate Rainfed Crop Rotations
Aaron Esser and Derek Appel
- Incorporating Oilseeds in Intermediate Rainfed Crop Rotations
- 2018 Annual WOCS Meeting
- Incorporating Oilseeds in Intermediate Rainfed Crop Rotations
A.D. Esser, and D. Appel
- Incorporating Oilseeds in Intermediate Rainfed Crop Rotations
- 2017 Annual WOCS Meeting
- Rotational Effects of Oilseed Crops: The Wittle Bugs Weally Do Matter
Jeremy Hansen, Bill Schillinger, Tarah Sullivan, and Tim Paulitz - Spring Oilseed in Rotation at Wilke Farm
Aaron Esser and Derek Appel
- Rotational Effects of Oilseed Crops: The Wittle Bugs Weally Do Matter
- 2016 Annual WOCS Meeting
- Spring Canola in Rotation at WSU Wilke Farm
Aaron Esser and Derek Appel
- Spring Canola in Rotation at WSU Wilke Farm
- 2015 Wheat Academy
- Introducing Canola in a Wheat Rotation
Frank Young, Megan Reese, Lauren Port, Bill Pan, Tai Maaz, and Vicki McCracken
- Introducing Canola in a Wheat Rotation
- 2015 PNW Oilseed and Direct Seed Cropping Systems Conference
- An Intuitive Approach to Crop Rotation
Wade Troutman, Bridgeport, WA - The Effects of Silicon and Fiber Composition from Canola and Wheat Residue on Soil Quality
Taylor Beard, Tai McClellan Maaz, and William L. Pan, Washington State University, Pullman, WA - Surface Crusting and Subsoil Effects
Taylor Beard, WSU - Soil Health with Oilseed Crops in a Cereal Grain Rotation (Microbial Community Changes)
Jeremy Hansen, WSU
- An Intuitive Approach to Crop Rotation
- 2014 WSU Oilseed and PNDSA Direct Seed Conference
- The Effects of Silicon and Fiber Composition from Canola and Wheat Residue on Soil Crusting
T.L. Beard, K. Borrelli, T. McClellan Maaz, and W.L. Pan; Dept. Crop and Soil Sciences, WSU, Pullman, WA - Spring Canola on the WSU Wilke Research and Extension Farm in 2013
A.D. Esser and D. Appel, WSU Extension - Cover Crops with Direct Seed Wheat Rotation in North Central Idaho
Ken Hart, Jim Church, Doug Finkelnburg, Univ of Idaho Extension; and Kevin Seitz, USDA-NRCS - Cover Crops with Direct Seed Rotation in North Central Idaho
Ken Hart – University of Idaho Extension, Lewis Co., ID - Introducing Winter Canola Into the Wheat Fallow Region of the PNW
Frank Young – USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA
- The Effects of Silicon and Fiber Composition from Canola and Wheat Residue on Soil Crusting
- 2013 Oilseed Production and Marketing Conference
- Synchronizing Crop Rotation and Chemical Rotation
Frank Young, Research Scientist, USDA-ARS - Spring Canola on the WSU Wilke Research and Extension Farm in 2012
Aaron Esser and Derek Appel, Washington State University
- Synchronizing Crop Rotation and Chemical Rotation
- 2012 Oilseed Crop Production Workshops
- Oilseed Crops in Rotation with Wheat
Aaron Esser, WSU Extension - Rotational Influence of Brassica and Other Spring Crops on Winter Wheat
Stephen Guy, WSU - A Decade of Direct-Seed Spring Canola in Rotation at Cook Farm
Dave Huggins, USDA-ARS Pullman - Winter Canola Rotations
Tom Zwainz, Reardan - Crop and Chemical Rotation
Frank Young, USDA-ARS Pullman
- Oilseed Crops in Rotation with Wheat
- 2011 Oilseed Crop Production Workshop
- Winter Canola Feasibility in Rotation with Winter Wheat
Aaron Esser, WSU - Introducing Winter Canola in the Wheat-Fallow Region of North Central WA
Frank Young and Larry McGrew, USDA-ARS Pullman; Dennis Roe, Karen Sowers and Eric Zakariason, WSU
- Winter Canola Feasibility in Rotation with Winter Wheat
- Schlatter, D.C., C. Yin, J.C. Hansen, W.F. Schillinger, and T.C. Paulitz. 2026. Canola Alters Rhizosphere and Root Microbiomes of Following Wheat Crops. Applied Soil Ecology 218 (2026) 106694.
- Schillinger, W. F., T.C. Paulitz, and J.C. Hansen. 2023. Canola rotation effects on soil water and subsequent wheat in the Pacific Northwest USA. Agronomy Journal 115:314–324.
- Schillinger, W.F. 2020. New winter crops and rotations for the Pacific Northwest low precipitation drylands. Agronomy Journal 112:3335–3349.
- Hansen, J.C., W.F. Schillinger, T.S. Sullivan, and T.C. 2019. Soil Microbial Biomass and Fungi Reduced with Canola Introduced Into Long-Term Monoculture Wheat Rotations. Frontiers in Microbiology 10:1488.
- Schlatter, D., J.C. Hansen, W.F. Schillinger, T.S. Sullivan, and T.C. Paulitz. 2019. Common and unique rhizosphere microbial communities of wheat and canola in a semiarid Mediterranean environment. Applied Soil Ecology 144:170-181.
- Hansen, J.C., W.F. Schillinger, T.S. Sullivan, and T.C. Paulitz. 2018. Rhizosphere microbial communities of canola and wheat at six paired field sites. Applied Soil Ecology 130:185-193.
- Schillinger, W.F., and T.C. Paulitz. 2018. Canola versus wheat rotation effects on subsequent wheat yield. Field Crops Research 223:26-32.
- Maaz, T.M., W. Schillinger, E. Brooks, S. Machado, J. Maynard-Johnson, I. Leslie, L. Port, W.L. Pan, I. Madsen, F.L. Young, A. Glover, H. Collins, and A. Esser. 2017. Impact of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies on Winter Wheat and Cropping System Performance across Precipitation Gradients in the Inland Pacific Northwest, USA. Frontiers in Environmental Science 5:23. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2017.00023
- Pan, W.L., F.L. Young, S.C Hulbert, D.R. Huggins, and T.M. Maaz. 2016. Canola Integration into Semi-Arid Wheat Cropping Systems of the Inland Pacific Northwestern USA. Crop and Pasture Science 67 (4) 253-265.
- Sharratt, B. and W.F. Schillinger. 2016. Soil characteristics and wind erosion potential of wheat-oilseed-fallow cropping systems. Soil Science Society of America Journal 80:704-710.
- Kincaid, R.L., K.A. Johnson, J.J. Michal, A.C. Huisman, S.H. Hulbert, and W.L. Pan. 2012. Case Study: Production of Silage Containing Biennial Canola and Peas for Use as Forage in a Dairy Rotation. The Professional Animal Scientist 28:120-124.
- Schillinger, W.F., D.L. Young, A.C. Kennedy, and T.C. Paulitz. 2010. Diverse No-Till Irrigated Crop Rotations Instead of Burning and Plowing Continuous Wheat. Field Crops Research 115:39–49.
For more information on rotational effects contact:
Aaron Esser
Phone: 509-659-3210
aarons@wsu.edu