The Effect of Potassium and Sulfur on the Yield Variability of Canaryseed
Evaluate K and S additions on the yield and quality of Canary Seed production at five locations in Saskatchewan, Canada.
IPNI-2000-CAN-SK27
15 Mar 2001
Justification
- Between 1992 and 1997, the acres of canaryseed in Saskatchewan have fluctuated between 233,000 and 580,000 acres and the farm gate sales have fluctuated between $18 and $88 million . At present, the major areas of production in Saskatchewan are the Regina plains, Kindersley-Elrose and Melfort. In a survey of canaryseed growers on the Regina plains the biggest problem was the year to year variability in seed yield. The cause of this fluctuation in yield is not known, but suggestions include seeding rate, seeding date, nitrogen rate, sulfur, aphids, a fungus called leaf mottle, and lack of moisture during grain filling. To determine the cause of this fluctuation in yield and to optimize the agronomics of canaryseed production, research examining the effect of seeding date, seeding rate, nitrogen rate and Septoria leaf mottle was initiated at two locations, in 1998, Indian Head and Weyburn. With additional funding from Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food’s Agricultural Development Fund, research was expanded to four locations in 1999, Indian Head, Weyburn, Melfort and Stewart Valley (north of Swift Current). In 2000, additional funding was obtained from the Potash and Phosphate Institute of Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to further investigate the effect of potassium and sulfur. This is a joint project between the Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundation and Agriculture Agri-Food Canada.