Improvement of Canola Agronomic Practices in Piedmont Soil.

By altering the agrophysical properties of canola (Brassica napus), nutrient absorption can be enhanced to help improve crop yield and quality while maximizing profits for farmers as well as reducing environmental pollution from on-farm operations. Canola production was evaluated for cultivation in a Piedmont soil, Mecklenburg Sandy Clay Loam, at North Carolina A&T State University research farm located in Greensboro, NC Guilford County. The experimental design in 2010-2011 for cultivating two varieties of canola consisted of a split plot design with 3 fertilizer rates and a control: NPK 0 lbs/Ac, 62.5:25:75 with Soysoap™_, 125:50:150, and 125:50:150 with Soysoap. The cultivars used were DKW-46 and Virginia under three different fertilizer concentrations with a control along with and without applications of Soysoap.  Soysoap was applied to maximize nutrient absorption in Canola.

No statistical differences were found during 2010-2012 in canola seed yield between the various fertilizer rates and cultivars used. During 2010 and 2011 the highest seed yield was achieved at fertilizer rate of 62.5:25:75 lbs/Ac with Soysoap with the lowest seed yield being at the 0 fertilizer rate. During 2012 the highest seed yield was achieved at the 62.5:25:75 fertilizer rate with the lowest seed yield being the 0 rate. Oil yield was calculated for 2010-2011 season. During 2010 DKW-46 was the highest yielding variety at the 0 fertilizer rate. In 2011 the Virginia variety was found to be the highest oil yielding cultivar at the 62.5:25:75 lbs/Ac.