Strategies to Improve Brassica napus L. (Canola) Winter Survival in Conservation Systems.

Winter canola production in the U.S. has allowed producers to diversify their cropping systems by offering a possible crop rotation. Canola has been proven to be beneficial in removing grassy weeds and improving yields in continuous wheat systems.  However, winter canola in the southern Great Plains has been known to be damaged by harsh winter conditions. The greatest losses in conservation systems growing winter canola is generally caused by cold or freeze induced damage.  This study was conducted to determine the main factors that are responsible for the differences in winter survival among tillage strategies. The tillage treatments that will be analyzed are no-till, vertical till, harrowing, and prescribed burning.   The effect of residue management strategies will be evaluated by analyzing plant population, plant cover and yield on a Renfrow silty clay loam in Fairview, Oklahoma.  The data for this study will show winter canola survivability and yield response under different residue management strategies.