CAHNRS > Washington Oilseed Cropping Systems > Soil Fertility > Nitrogen in Canola

Nitrogen in Canola

Canola plant in bloom.

Nitrogen (N) is frequently one of the most limiting nutrients in canola production systems in the Washington. Nitrogen is taken up by plants as either ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3–). Ammonium is generally considered immobile and does not leach deep into the soil profile whereas nitrate is generally considered mobile and can leach with in the soil profile. Due to the variation in mobility ammonium samples are only taken in the surface soils whereas nitrate samples are taken to a depth of 4-6’. Nitrogen deficiencies show up as yellowing on the oldest leaves. While some level of nitrogen correction can be made during the growing season it is preferable to develop a strong nutrient management plan prior to the growing season.

  • Pan, W.L., T.M. Maaz, I.J. Madsen, W.A. Hammac, M. Reese, D. Wysocki, J.B. Davis, M. Wingerson, and J. Brown. 2017. 4R N Management of Canola Integration into Semi-Arid Wheat. Crops and Soils May-June issue, pp 16-27.

  • Madsen, I., and W. Pan. 2020. Nitrogen Source and Rate to Minimize Damage Caused by Free Ammonia. p. 26. In 2020 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 20-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
  • Porter, M., W. Pan, W. Schillinger, I. Madsen, K. Sowers, and H. Tao. 2020. Managing Nitrogen for Winter Canola. 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.
  • Porter, M., I. Madsen, W. Pan, W. Schillinger, and H. Tao. 2019. Soil Nitrogen and Water Relations with Winter Canola Nitrogen Use Efficiency. p. 25-26. In 2019 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 19-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
  • Porter, M., I. Madsen, W. Pan, W. Schillinger, and H. Tao. 2019. Winter Canola Response to Nitrogen Rate and Timing in Semiarid Mediterranean Conditions. p. 27. In 2019 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 19-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
  • Hammac, W.A., T.M. Maaz, R.T. Koenig, I.C. Burke, and W.L. Pan. 2018. Water and Temperature Stresses Impact Canola (Brassica napus L.) Fatty Acid, Protein, and Yield Over Nitrogen and Sulfur. In 2018 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 18-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
  • Madsen, I., and W. Pan. 2018. Selecting Nitrogen Source to Minimize Damage Caused by Free Ammonia. In 2018 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 18-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
  • Porter, M., H. Tao, W.L. Pan, I. Madsen, and K. Sowers. 2018. Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency for Winter Canola Using 4R Stewardship. In 2018 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 18-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
  • Madsen, I., and W. Pan. 2017. Establishing Safe Rates for Banding Urea Fertilizer Below Canola at Planting. In 2017 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 17-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
  • Madsen, I., and W. Pan. 2017. Selecting Nitrogen Source to Minimize Damage Caused by Free Ammonia. In 2017 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 17-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
  • McClellan Maaz, T., F. Young, and W. Pan. 2017. Overwinter Nitrogen Cycling in Winter Canola. In 2017 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 17-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
  • Pan, W.L, T.M. Maaz, I.J. Madsen, and W.A. Hammac. 2017. Spring Canola Nitrogen Supply Recommendations for the Pacific Northwest. In 2017 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 17-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
  • Tao, H., W.L. Pan, K. Sowers, L. Molsee, and D. Roe. 2017. Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency for Winter Canola Using 4R Stewardship. In 2017 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 17-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
  • Wysocki, D., J.B. Davis, M. Wingerson, J. Brown, M. Reese, A. Esser, B. Schillinger, T. Maaz, I. Madsen, H. Tao, and W. Pan. 2017. Winter Canola Nitrogen Supply and Timing Recommendations for the Pacific Northwest. In 2017 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 17-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
  • Maaz, T.M., W.L. Pan, and W.A. Hammac. 2016. Components of Improved Canola Nitrogen Use Efficiency with Increasing Water and Nitrogen. 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., T.M. Maaz, W.A. Hammac, V.A. McCracken, and R.T. Koenig. 2016. Semi-Arid Canola Nitrogen and Water Requirements. In 2016 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 16-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
  • Reese, M., W. Pan, F. Young, and W. Schillinger. 2016. Winter Canola Water and Nitrogen Use in Low Rainfall Areas of Eastern Washington. 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., T. Maaz, M. Reese, I. Madsen, T. Beard, A. Hammac, L. Port, F. Young, and R.T. Koenig. 2015. Canola Nitrogen Fertility Management. In 2015 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 15-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
  • McClellan Maaz, T., T. Beard, and B. Pan. 2014. Carbon and Nitrogen Mineralization from Canola, Wheat, and Pea Residues Differing in Nitrogen Content and Carbohydrate Composition. In 2014 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 14-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
  • McClellan Maaz, T., B. Pan, A. Hammac, and R. Koenig. 2013. Nitrogen Use by Pacific Northwest Dryland Canola (Brassica napus). In 2013 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 13-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.
  • McClellan Maaz, T., B. Pan, A. Hammac, and F. Young, 2013. Assessing Crop Rotational Nitrogen Use Efficiency Using an N Balance Approach. In 2013 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress. Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Tech Report 13-1, WSU, Pullman, WA.

Visit the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences site to see all the CSS Field Day Abstracts.

  • Maaz, T.M., W.A. Hammac, R. Koenig, and W.L. Pan. 2015. Mitscherlich ModeledCanola Nitrogen Use Efficiency Influenced by Soil N and Water. Abstract #204-12. International Annual Meetings for ASA-CSSA-SSSA, Minneapolis, MN.
  • Maaz, T. M., L. Port, W.L. Pan, W. Schillinger, I. Madsen, H. Collins, and A. Esser. 2015. Rotational Nitrogen and Water Use Efficiencies in Intensified and Diversified Cropping Systems Across the Precipitation Gradient of Eastern WA. Climate Change and Cereal Production in Semi-Arid Regions of the World. REACCH International Conference. Minneapolis, MN.
  • Sawadgo, W., V. McCracken, T. Maaz, W. Hammac, R. Koenig, and W. Pan. Economically Optimal N Recommendations Based on Variable Grain and Fertilizer Pricing and Mitscherlich-Modeled Canola Yield Responses. 2015. ASA/SSSA/CSSA Online Program. International Annual Meetings for ASA-CSSA-SSSA.; 11/15-18/2015; Minneapolis MN.
  • Desta, K., H. Collins, W. Pan, S. Fransen, S. Norberg, and D. Llewellyn. 2012. Double-Cropping Irrigated Biennial Canola with Green Pea for Biodiesel Feedstock, Crop Diversification, and Animal Feed. Poster. Northwest Bioenergy Research Symposium. Seattle, WA. Nov. 13, 2012.
  • Hammac, A., T. McClellan, B. Pan, and R. Koenig. 2012. Yield Potential, Nitrogen Use Efficiency, and Unit Nitrogen Requirement of Spring Canola in Eastern Washington. Poster presentation at Northwest Bioenergy Research Symposium. Seattle, WA. Nov. 13, 2012.
  • Hammac, A., W. Pan, and R. Koenig. 2012. The Impact of Region, Nitrogen Use Efficiency, and Grower Incentives on Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in Canola (Brassica napus) Production. American Geological Union Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA. Dec. 7, 2012.
  • McClellan, T., W. Pan, A. Hammac, and F. Young. 2012. Assessing Crop Rotational Nitrogen Use Efficiency Using an N Balance Approach. Poster. Northwest Bioenergy Research Symposium. Seattle, WA. Nov. 13, 2012.
  • McClellan, T., W. Pan, A. Hammac, and F. Young. 2012. Assessing Crop Rotational Nitrogen Use Efficiency Using an N Balance Approach. ASA Abstracts, American Society of Agronomy Annual Meeting, Cincinnati, OH.
  • Hammac, W.A., W.L. Pan, R.T. Koenig, and I.C. Burke. 2011. Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertility Effect on Canola (Brassica napus) Protein Content and Fatty Acid Profile. American Society of Agronomy annual meeting, 16-20 Oct., San Antonio, TX. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Abstracts.
  • Hammac, W.A., R.T. Koenig, and W.L. Pan. 2010. Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertility Effect on Pacific Northwest Dryland Canola (Brassica napus) Production. Poster. 2010 Northwest Bioenergy Research Symposium. Seattle, WA. Nov. 8-10, 2010.
  • Hammac, W.A., R.T. Koenig, and W.L. Pan. 2010. Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertility Effect on Pacific Northwest Dryland Canola (Brassica napus) Production. Oral presentation at: Soil Science Society of America International Conference; November 2010; Long Beach, CA.
  • Davenport, J., R. Stevens, and J. Lunden. 2009. Canola Response to N Fertilizer Rates in Irrigated Cropping Systems. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Abstr 329-16.

  • 2019 Annual WOCS Meeting
    • Nitrogen Management for Winter Canola
      Haiying Tao
  • 2018 Oilseed Workshop
    • Nitrogen Fertility of Winter Canola
      Marissa Porter and Haiying Tao, WSU
  • 2018 Annual WOCS Meeting
    • Nitrogen Fertility of Winter Canola
      Marissa Porter and Haiying Tao
  • 2015 PNW Oilseed and Direct Seed Cropping Systems Conference
    • Uptake Efficiency and Partitioning of Soil and Fertilizer N Sources by Canola, Wheat, and Pea
      Tai McClellan Maaz, Taylor L. Beard and William L. Pan, Washington State University
    • Field-Scale Cropping System N Use Efficiency after 10 Years of Continuous No-tillage
      Rachel Unger, Ian Burke, Mark Swanson, and Lynne Carpenter-Boggs, Washington State University, Pullman, WA and Dave Huggins, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA
    • Implications of Canola on Nitrogen Cycling in Soil
      Tai McClellan Maaz, WSU
  • 2014 WSU Oilseed and PNDSA Direct Seed Conference
    • Precision N Management: Developing Science-Based Practices
      David Huggins1, Jake Wavrin2, Tabitha Brown2, David Brown2, Aaron Esser2, and Kate Painter3; 1USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA; 2Dept. Crop and Soil Sciences, WSU; 3Agr. Economics and Rural Sociology, Univ. of Idaho
    • Nitrogen and Carbon Mineralization from Canola, Pea, and Wheat Residues with Differing Nitrogen Content and Carbohydrate Composition
      Tai McClellan Maaz, Taylor L. Beard and William L Pan; Dept. Crop and Soil Sciences, WSU, Pullman, WA
  • 2013 Oilseed Production and Marketing Conference
    • Nitrogen Use by Pacific Northwest Dryland Canola (Brassica napus)
      Ashley Hammac, Tai McClellan, Rich Koenig, and Bill Pan, Washington State University
    • Assessing Crop Rotational Nitrogen Use Efficiency Using an N Balance Approach
      Tai McClellan1, Bill Pan1, Ashley Hammac1, and Frank Young2; 1Washington State University and 2USDA-ARS
  • 2012 Bioenergy Research Symposium
    • Oilseed Fertilizer Management: It’s Not Your Father’s Wheat
      Rick Koenig, WSU
  • 2012 Oilseed Crop Production Workshop
    • Irrigated Canola Response to N Fertilization in Columbia Basin
      Kefyalew Desta, WSU-Prosser Irrigated Agriculture Research & Extension Center
  • 2011 Bioenergy Research Symposium
    • Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertility Effect On Pacific Northwest Dryland Canola (Brassica napus) Production
      Ashley Hammac, Rich Koenig, and Bill Pan