Germination Rates of Spring Canola and Spring Wheat Cultivars in Response to High Temperature.

Though gaining popularity as an edible oilseed, canola (Brassica napus L.) is slow to make its way into the southern United States. Growers in Texas traditionally plant winter canola in the fall and harvest in the spring, similar to winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in the region; however, this competes with wheat acres as a rotational crop. Mild falls and late freezes in South Texas may allow for a late fall grain harvest of spring canola, if canola seed can withstand hot soil temperatures at planting in late summer. This scenario may allow canola to gain more acreage in the state as part of a double-cropping system with wheat or as a late-planted alternative crop following a failed summer crop, which frequently occurs in Texas.  In order to determine the potential for spring canola or spring wheat to tolerate hot soil temperatures, seed from four spring canola and two spring wheat cultivars will be evaluated at seven different temperatures (10^oC through 50^oC) and the germination rate will be recorded for one week.  The goal of this study is to 1) determine the temperature at which spring canola germination declines and 2) determine if spring canola can successfully germinate at soil temperatures common in Texas in late summer.