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.

Spring Canola Nitrogen Rate Calculator

The calculator estimates the (nitrogen) N fertilizer rate required to grow a particular yield goal based on the amount of soil N supply.

Spring Canola Nitrogen Rate Calculator 

  • 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.

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.

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